5. Greta Gerwig - Frances Ha
The Film: Noah Baumbach's latest examination of white, middle-class angst, revolving around Frances (Greta Gerwig), a late-20s dancer who has to figure her life out when her best friend decides to move out.
Why She Could Win: Noah Baumbach's films are always something of an acquired taste, though this is without question one of the best-reviewed films of his career, similarly earning much praise for lead Gerwig, who has fashioned herself as something of an indie darling in recent years. This could very well be the turn that fires her into the big leagues, and given that she also helped Baumbach write the screenplay, she's got double the chance of going home with an award.
Other Talent: Oscar nominee Baumbach.