James Franco and Natalie Portman are fast generating early Oscar buzz for their performances in 127 Hours and Black Swan, respectively.

The two are nominated for Best Male and Female Lead in the 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards, winners of which will be revealed on February 26th, a day ahead of the 83rd Academy Awards ceremony. February 26 and 27 next year may bring two consecutive days of win for both Hollywood actors.

Portman found an ally in Julia Roberts who praised her for her portrayal in Black Swan in an article for Variety. Roberts wrote that Portman was consummated by her character until she ceased to exist and become the ballerina herself.

On the other hand, James Franco was recently announced as co-host for the Oscars next year with Anne Hathaway, which will likely help him in creating buzz for his gripping turn in Danny Boyle's 127 Hours.

Their films are also leading contenders in the 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Black Swan and 127 Hours are nominated in the Best Feature category. The films' directors, Darren Aronofsky and Danny Boyle are in the running for the Best Director award.

Here's the full nominations list of 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards:

Best Feature:

  • "127 Hours"
  • "Black Swan"
  • "Greenberg"
  • "The Kids Are All Right"
  • "Winter's Bone"

Best Director:

  • Darren Aronofsky, "Black Swan"
  • Danny Boyle, "127 Hours"
  • Lisa Cholodenko, "The Kids Are All Right"
  • Debra Granik, "Winter's Bone"
  • John Cameron Mitchell, "Rabbit Hole"

Best Screenplay:

  • Stuart Blumberg & Lisa Cholodenko, "The Kids Are All Right"
  • Debra Granik & Anne Rosellini, "Winter's Bone"
  • Nicole Holofcener, "Please Give"
  • David Lindsay-Abaire, "Rabbit Hole"
  • Todd Solondz, "Life During Wartime"

Best Female Lead:

  • Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right"
  • Greta Gerwig, "Greenberg"
  • Nicole Kidman, "Rabbit Hole"
  • Jennifer Lawrence, "Winter's Bone"
  • Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"
  • Michelle Williams, "Blue Valentine"

Best Male Lead:

  • Ronald Bronstein, "Daddy Longlegs"
  • Aaron Eckhart, "Rabbit Hole"
  • James Franco, "127 Hours"
  • John C. Reilly, "Cyrus"
  • Ben Stiller, "Greenberg"

Best Supporting Female:

  • Ashley Bell, "The Last Exorcism"
  • Dale Dickey, "Winter's Bone"
  • Allison Janney, "Life During Wartime"
  • Daphne Rubin-Vega, "Jack Goes Boating"
  • Naomi Watts, "Mother and Child"

Best Supporting Male:

  • John Hawkes, "Winter's Bone"
  • Samuel L. Jackson, "Mother and Child"
  • Bill Murray, "Get Low"
  • John Ortiz, "Jack Goes Boating"
  • Mark Ruffalo, "The Kids Are All Right"
  • Best Documentary:
  • "Exit Through the Gift Shop"
  • "Marwencol"
  • "Sweetgrass"
  • "Restrepo"
  • "Thunder Soul"

Best Foreign Film

  • "Kisses" (Ireland)
  • "Mademoiselle Chambon" (France)
  • "Of Gods and Men" (Morocco)
  • "The King's Speech" (United Kingdom)
  • "Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives" (Thailand)

Best Cinematography

  • Adam Kimmel, "Never Let Me Go"
  • Matthew Libatique, "Black Swan"
  • Jody Lee Lipes, "Tiny Furniture"
  • Michael McDonough, "Winter's Bone"
  • Harris Savides, "Greenberg"

Best First Feature:

  • "Everything Strange and New"
  • "Get Low"
  • "Night Catches Us"
  • "The Last Exorcism"
  • "Tiny Furniture"

Best First Screenplay

  • Diane Bell, "Obselidia"
  • Lena Dunham, "Tiny Furniture"
  • Nik Fackler, "Lovely, Still"
  • Bob Glaudini, "Jack Goes Boating"
  • Dana Adam Shapiro, Evan M. Wiener, "Monogamy"