Kicking off the movie award season, the 2012 Gotham Independent Film Awards announced its nominees on Thursday, October 18 in New York City. Among the critically-acclaimed indie films that are competing for the coveted Best Feature gong are P.T. Anderson's "The Master", Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom" and Richard Linklater's "Bernie", AceShowbiz said.

"Bernie", which stars such actors as Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey and Shirley MacLaine, will also face off against "Moonrise Kingdom" in the Best Ensemble Performance category. The latter has a cast ensemble that include the likes of Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Bruce Willis and Tilda Swinton.

David O. Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook", which stars Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper, is also up for Best Ensemble performance. Meanwhile, critics' darling "Beasts of the Southern Wild" gets Breakthrough Director and Actor noms for Benh Zeitlin and Quvenzhane Wallisnominated respectively.

Of this year's nominees, Independent Filmmaker Project executive director Joana Vicente says, "From master film artists to richly talented newcomers, this year's nominees comprise a diverse group of filmmakers and actors that defines the spectrum of independent film today."

She goes on stating, "In addition to celebrating the work and the community, we also hope that the Gotham Award attention will encourage more audiences to explore the range of vibrant, entertaining, challenging and innovative films represented here."

The Gotham Awards ceremony will be held at Cipriani Wall Street on November 26. Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, director David O. Russell and Participant Media founder Jeff Skoll are all set to receive career tributes.