LAURA LINNEY - THE SQUID AND THE WHALE CLAIMS SIX INDIE SPIRIT NOMINATIONS

Actress LAURA LINNEY was in for a big shock when she read out the 2006 Independent Spirit Awards nominations yesterday (29NOV05) - her hit new movie THE SQUID AMD THE WHALE picked up six nods.

NOAH BAUMBACH's autobiographical tale of two boys dealing with their parents' divorce, led the list of nominees for the indie film prizegiving, which traditionally takes place on the eve of the Oscars (04MAR06).

The film will compete for Best Feature along with ANG LEE's BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, CAPOTE, THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA and GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, while stars Linney and JEFF DANIELS have both been nominated as Best Actress and Best Actor respectively.

Daniels will be up against PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN (CAPOTE), TERRENCE HOWARD (HUSTLE + FLOW), HEATH LEDGER (BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN) and DAVID STRATHAIRN (GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK).

Meanwhile, Linney will compete for the Best Actress prize with FELICITY HUFFMAN (TRANSAMERICA), DINA KORZUN (40 SHADES OF BLUE), S EPATHA MERKERSON (LACKAWANNA BLUES) and CYNDI WILLIAMS (ROOM).