The Artist (The Weinstein Company) and Take Shelter (Sony Pictures Classics) each grabbed five nominations today in the list of contenders for the 27th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards -- the most of any of the films in contention. Scoring four nominations each were Beginners, The Descendants, Drive, and Martha Marcy May Marlene, while 50-50 captured three. Margin Call had 2 nominations and was also given the Robert Altman Award, which

Fox Searchlight led all distributors with 14 total nominations, followed by Sony Pictures Classics with 9, and The Weinstein Company and Focus Features each nabbing 6. Announcement was made in West Hollywood by actors Anthony Mackie and Kate Beckinsale.

Eligibility for a Spirit Award requires that a film must be made by a U.S. producer for under $20 million. The award ceremony will be held February 25 in Santa Monica. See a list of all nominations here.