"Take Shelter," "The Artist" top Spirit Awards nods

(CBS) The apocalyptic drama "Take Shelter" and the critically acclaimed silent film "The Artist" lead the pack of nominees for the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards - with five nods each.

Pictures: Holiday films 2011
Special Section: Awards Season

Films up for four awards include "Beginners," "Drive," "The Descendants" and "Martha Marcy May Marlene."

The movies in the running for the top prize, best feature, are "50/50," "The Descendants," "Beginners," "Drive," "Take Shelter" and "The Artist."

Nominated actors include Michelle Williams ("My Week With Marilyn"), Elizabeth Olsen ("Martha Marcy May Marlene"), Jean Dujardin ("The Artist") and Christopher Plummer ("Beginners").

Actors Anthony Mackie and Kate Beckinsale announced the contenders on Tuesday in West Hollywood.

The Spirit Awards focus on features made with budgets typically under $20 million. "Black Swan" won the top trophy at the Spirit Awards in February 2011.

Nominations are made by juries of filmmakers and critics.

The 27th annual awards ceremony will be held Feb. 25, the day before the Oscars, in Santa Monica, Calif. The event will be broadcast later that night on IFC.

See the complete Spirit Awards nominee list here.