Ang Lee earned a directing nomination for, a tale of unexpected love between two cowboys.
star Heath Ledger was among the nominees for best actor, announced by actress Mira Sorvino at an early morning news conference. Other best-actor nominees include Philip Seymour Hoffman for his role as writer Truman Capote in , and Joaquin Phoenix, who played singer Johnny Cash in .
"The nominees for best performance by an actor in a leading role are Philip Seymour Hoffman in ; Terrence Howard in ; Heath Ledger in ; Joaquin Phoenix in ; and David Strathairn in ," announced Sorvino.
Among best actress nominees is Reese Witherspoon, who played the singer June Carter, wife of Johnny Cash, in . Other nominees are Judi Dench for the World War II-era comedy , Felicity Huffman for her role as a man about to undergo a sex change operation in , Keira Knightley for and Charlize Theron for .
George Clooney received an acting nomination for his supporting role in , in which he played a CIA undercover agent, and for best director and co-writer of . That film tells the story of reporter Edward R. Murrow and his battles with Communist-hunting Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Directing nominees include Steven Spielberg for . The film about the aftermath of the 1972 killing of Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics earned five nominations, including best picture.
The film , an ensemble story that explores racial and ethnic tensions, received six nominations, including best picture and best supporting actor for Matt Dillon.
Nominees for best foreign language film include a Palestinian film on the last hours of a pair of suicide bombers, called . Other foreign film nominees include the tale of an anti-Nazi resister, , from Germany; the Italian film , from France and from South Africa.
The Academy Awards, or Oscars, are presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will be handed out in Hollywood March 5.