Mos Def andCatalina Sandino Moreno are among Breakthrough Actor Award nominees and RodneyEvans and Nicole Kassell are in the running for Breathrough Director Awardhonours in IFP/New York's upcoming 14th Annual IFP Gotham Awards on Dec 1.

Formerly knownas the Open Palm Award for Outstanding Directorial Debut, the BreakthroughActor Award features five nominees: Mos Def for The Woodsman; Anthony Mackie for Brother ToBrother; CatalinaSandino Moreno for Maria Full Of Grace; Dallas Roberts for A Home At The End Of The World; and the ensemble cast of EverydayPeople.

Previousrecipients include Maggie Gyllenhaal for Secretary, Michelle Rodriguez for Girlfight and Dylan Baker for Happiness. Eligible performances are those inindependent films that were acquired and/or released theatrically in 2004.

The fiveBreakthrough Director Award nominees are: Rodney Evans for Brother ToBrother; Debra Granikfor Down To The Bone;Nicole Kassell for The Woodsman; Joshua Marston for Maria Full Of Grace; and Lori Silverbush for On The Outs.

Previous winners includeDarren Aronofsky for Pi, ShariSpringer Berman and Robert Pulcini for American Splendor, and John Cameron Mitchell for Hedwig And The Angry Inch. Eligible directors are those whose projects aretheir first full-length fiction film released and/or screened at a majorfestival in 2004.

"The list of nomineesfor this year's Breakthrough Awards reflects some of New York's brightestemerging talent in independent film today," Michelle Byrd, IFP/New Yorkexecutive director said in a statement.

"Each has achieved masterfulfeats in his/her role, bringing characters to life in unique and powerful ways.

"In addition,the directorial debut award nominees represent a class of talent who havepushed the boundaries of storytelling and filmmaking to create innovative andthought-provoking films that have attracted all types of audiences."