It's a star-studded nominations race at the 30th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Leading the pack this year is Birdman with six nominations, including nods to stars Michael Keaton and Emma Stone.

But Keaton, 63, has some stiff competition from Jake Gyllenhaal, 33, for his creepy performance in Nightcrawler for the best actor category.

Scroll down for video

Leading it off! Julianne Moore is up against Marion Cotillard and Tilda Swinton for best female lead, making it a stacked category for this year's Spirit Awards

The nominations were announced on Tuesday at the W Hotel in Los Angeles by Rosario Dawson and Diego Luna.

Julianne Moore (Still Alice) is up against Marion Cotillard (The Immigrant) and Tilda Swinton (Only Lovers Left Alive) for best female lead, making it a stacked category for this year's race.

Stone, 26, has some tough competition of her own in the best supporting actress category as she goes up against veterans Patricia Arquette (Boyhood) and Jessica Chastain (A Most Violent Year).

Catching attention: Leading the pack this year is Birdman with six nominations, including nods to stars Michael Keaton and Emma Stone

Threat: But Keaton, 63, has some stiff competition from Jake Gyllenhaal, 33, for his creepy performance in Nightcrawler in the best actor category

The Spirit Awards are one of the early indicators for what independent films and performances will make it into the Oscar race.

Noticeably absent from the nominees is Jennifer Aniston who has been receiving quite a bit of Oscar buzz for her film Cake, indicating there may be some smoke but no real fire when it comes to her chances next year at the Academy Awards.

Birdman looks to be well-seated for awards season as its nominations included nods for best feature, best actor (Keaton), best director (Alejandro Inarritu), supporting actress (Stone), supporting actor (Edward Norton) and cinematographer (Emmanuel Lubezki).

Star presenters: The nominations were announced on Tuesday at the W Hotel in Los Angeles by Rosario Dawson and Diego Luna

Boyhood (directed by Richard Linklater) was another leader with nominations for directing, acting (including Ethan Hawke for supporting actor), and producing.

Birdman and Boyhood are joined in the best feature category by Paramount Pictures' Selma and Sony Pictures Classics films Whiplash and Love Is Strange.

Jazz drumming drama Whiplash, which won the top honor at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and has garnered awards buzz, landed four nominations, including Best Director for Damien Chazelle and Best Supporting Actor for J.K. Simmons.

Early indicator: The Independent Spirit Awards, held at a casual luncheon on California's Santa Monica beach the day before Hollywood's glitzy Oscars ceremony on February 21

Ready to celebrate? On Tuesday night, Jake was seen leaving the Late Show With David Letterman in New York

The Independent Spirit Awards, held at a casual luncheon on California's Santa Monica beach the day before Hollywood's glitzy Oscars ceremony on February 21, bestows awards on the best achievements in independent film.

The award recipients are often an indicator of Academy Award winners, with slavery drama 12 Years a Slave taking top honors at both the Spirit Awards and Oscars this year.

The ceremony will be televised on IFC.