Seeking to steal a march on its awards season rivals,IFP/Los Angeles said this week it will announce nominations for the 20thIndependent Spirit Awards on Nov 30.

Theorganisation wants to manoeuvre itself into a more influential slot beforeother awards bodies unveil their contenders.

The National Board of Review traditionally kicks off theseason and unveiled its winners on Dec 3 last year, the same day as theIndependent Spirit nominations were announced.

The Spirit Awards will be handed out on Feb 26, 2005 in LosAngeles, one day before the 77th Annual Academy Awards.