Matthew McConaughey, Martin McDonagh, Zoe Kazan & More Snag Independent Spirit Award Nominations

Nominees for the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced, and the shortlist includes Killer Joe star Matthew McConaughey, playwright Martin McDonagh, Broadway alums Bradley Cooper, Zoe Kazan and Sam Rockwell and Jonathan Lisecki’s film Gayby. The winners will be announced at a February 23, 2013 ceremony in Santa Monica, California.

McConaughey earned a Best Male Lead nomination for his eerie performance in the film adaptation of Tracy Letts’ dark off-Broadway comedy Killer Joe. McDonagh, who penned Broadway hits The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Pillowman, snagged a nomination for the screenplay of his film Seven Psychopaths. Rockwell, who starred in Seven Psycopaths, earned a Best Supporting Male nomination for his performance. Kazan, who appeared in McDonagh’s last Broadway play A Behanding in Spokane, earned a Best Screenplay nomination for her film Ruby Sparks. Cooper, who's eyeing a Broadway return in The Elephant Man, earned a Best Male Lead nod for Silver Linings Playbook. Gayby, which stars former Silence! The Musical leading lady Jenn Harris and Spider-Man’s Matthew Wilkas, earned Lisceki a nomination for Best First Screenplay.

Established in 1984, the Independent Spirit Awards are solely dedicated to recognizing independent filmmakers. The nominees are selected by film professionals, including critics, actors, film programmers, producers, actors, directors, writers and cinematographers.