-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- `` Precious , '' a movie about a 1980s-era Harlem teen who strives to overcome abuse , neglect and illiteracy , pulled five Independent Spirit Award nominations Tuesday morning . Stars Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique were both recognized for their portrayals of a mother and daughter in a dysfunctional relationship , with a best female lead nomination for newcomer Sidibe and a best supporting female nomination for Mo'Nique . The film 's success is not entirely a surprise , considering that the Oprah Winfrey - and Tyler Perry-backed Sundance darling has earned $ 27 million at the domestic box office and was received well by audiences during its slow rollout in cities across the nation in November . Sidibe 's work in `` Precious '' has been one of the breakout roles of the year , and the young actress is rumored to be the star of a new series , `` The C Word . '' However , it has n't been all smooth for `` Precious '' : The film earned zero nominations for the Gotham Independent Film Awards , which were given out Monday night . The Gotham awards are a New York-based indie film honor . `` The Hurt Locker , '' by contrast , took home two Gotham awards Monday night , one for best picture and the other for best ensemble . There were no Independent Spirit Award nominations for this Iraq war drama , however , as it was nominated last year . For the Spirits , `` Precious '' is facing off against the Zooey Deschanel-driven '' -LRB- 500 -RRB- Days of Summer , '' `` Amreeka , '' `` The Last Station '' and `` Sin Nombre '' for best picture . `` Summer '' also snagged a nomination for best male lead , a nod for Joseph Gordon-Levitt . On top of the best picture nomination , `` The Last Station '' -- a biographical piece about Leo Tolstoy featuring James McAvoy , Helen Mirren and Paul Giamatti -- is up for best director , best screenplay , best female lead and best supporting male lead . Christian McKay , another relatively unknown actor in the United States , has gotten lots of love from critics for his portrayal of Orson Welles in Richard Linklater 's `` Me and Orson Welles , '' and the Spirit Awards noticed , giving the British actor a nomination for best supporting male performer . In order to be considered , all films had to be 70 minutes long with a budget under $ 20 million , and had to have screened at one of the major film festivals , such as Sundance or Toronto . The awards ceremony is typically held the Saturday before the Academy Awards , but since the Spirit Awards are celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2010 , they 're moving out from under Oscar 's shadow and will air live on the Independent Film Channel on March 5 .