Spirit Awards Nominees Sites
- IFC: The 2009 Spirit Award Nominations (December 2, 2008)
- Variety: Film Trio Feel the Spirit (December 2, 2008)
- THR: Three-way Tie at Top of Spirit Award Noms (December 2, 2008)
Spirit Award Best Feature Nominee 2009
Spirit Award Best Director Nominee 2009
- Ramin Bahrani for Chop Shop
- Jonathan Demme for Rachel Getting Married
- Lance Hammer for Ballast
- Courtney Hunt for Frozen River
- Tom McCarthy for The Visitor
Spirit Award Best First Feature Nominee 2009
Spirit Award Best Male Lead Nominee 2009
- Javier Bardem for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
- Richard Jenkins for The Visitor
- Sean Penn for Milk
- Jeremy Renner for The Hurt Locker
- Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler
Spirit Award Best Female Lead Nominee 2009
- Summer Bishil for Towelhead
- Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married
- Melissa Leo for Frozen River
- Tarra Riggs for Ballast
- Michelle Williams for Wendy and Lucy
Spirit Award Best Screenplay Nominee 2009
- Woody Allen for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
- Anna Boden and Ryan Flick for Sugar
- Charlie Kaufman for Synecdoche New York
- Howard A Rodman for Savage Grace
- Jenny Lumet for Rachel Getting Married
Spirit Award Best Documentary 2009
Robert Altman Award