Brits Shine at the Oscars

BRITS SHINE IN OSCAR® NOMINATIONS -

Lottery-funded films nominated for six Oscars®
LOS ANGELES - 31 January 2006: The Constant Gardener starring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz, and backed by £2 million of National Lottery cash through the UK Film Council, has been nominated for four awards at this year's Oscars®, it was announced today.

Rachel Weisz has been nominated for best actress in a supporting role and the film - which has already taken £35 million at the worldwide box office - is also in the running for achievement in film editing, achievement in music written for motion pictures and adapted screenplay. The film has already been nominated for ten BAFTAs.

Mrs Henderson Presents also funded by the National Lottery has been nominated in two categories. Dame Judi Dench has been nominated in the category of performance by an actress in a leading role and the film is also up for achievement in costume design.

Other British films nominated for Oscars® include Pride & Prejudice nominated in four categories including Keira Knightley for best actress; Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit and Tim Burton's The Corpse Bride, both flagged for best animated feature film and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire which has been nominated for achievement in art direction.

British short films Six Shooter and Cashback have the chance to repeat Andrea Arnold's success with Wasp last year - both have been nominated in the best live action short film category.

Commenting on the terrific show for British films John Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council said:

"This is great news for British film and for films funded by the National Lottery.

"These nominations demonstrate yet again the high level of creative skills and talent that we have in the British film industry.

"National Lottery funding is helping British films achieve success at box offices worldwide, giving British filmmakers opportunities to develop their skills and the public access to fantastic films."

For further information contact:

Caroline Nagle
UK Film Council Press Office
T: +44 (0)20 7861 7508
E: press@ukfilmcouncil.org.uk