The candidates for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (aka Best Supporting Actress) for the 80th Annual Academy Awards are:

1. Cate Blanchett for I’m Not There.
2. Ruby Dee for American Gangster.
3. Saoirse Ronan for Atonement.
4. Amy Ryan for Gone Baby Gone.
5. Tilda Swinton for Michael Clayton.

While Saoirse Ronan was incredibly convincing in Atonement, she’s only 13. Time aplenty for her to win later. I’m betting on either Cate Blanchett or Amy Ryan.