King Kong leads Empire nominations

The movie King Kong is leading the nominations for Empire Magazine's 2006 film awards, being named in five categories including Best Film. With four nominations each were Pride&Prejudice, Crash, and Wallace& Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit. The awards are the only film accolades to be voted for solely by the British public.

For the for Best Director award are Peter Jackson, (King Kong) Steven Spielberg (War Of The Worlds), Joe Wright (Pride&Prejudice), Ron Howard (Cinderella Man), Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins) and Nick Park and Steve Box (Wallace& Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit).

Male celebrities like Matt Dillon, Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Andy Serkis and Viggo Mortenson are all up for Best Actor award. Meanwhile female celebrities like Naomi Watts, Keira Knightley, Thandie Newton, Renee Zellweger and Hilary Swank have all been nominated as Best Actress award. The ceremony will be host by British comedian Bill Bailey and will be held in the Hilton London Metropole on 13 March.