Dead men and zombies up for awards

The nominations are out for this year's British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) and zombies and dead men are leading the pack.

15:21 27 October 2004

The nominations are out for this year's British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) and zombies and dead men are leading the pack.

The award ceremony, held on November 30th, will be the seventh in the BIFA's history - the down-to-earth British alternative to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood's Oscars.

Spoof romzomcom Shaun of the Dead and the new starlet Scarlett Johansson are among some of the nominations hoping to receive recognition for their efforts over the past 12 months.

Among the big hitters is Mike Leigh's award-winning abortion drama Vera Drake, which has received seven nominations. However, it was just beaten for the honorary title of film with the most nominations by Dead Man's Shoes, which received eight.

BIFA founder and director, Elliot Grove said: "This year's nominees reflect the growing strength and diversity of British independent film-making."

Vera Drake and Dead Man's Shoes look set to battle it out in the Best British Independent Film category, along with the mountaineering survival story Touching the Void, Shaun of the Dead and friendship drama My Summer of Love.

Geoffrey Rush, a former Oscar winner, has been nominated in the best actor category for his recent portrayal of Peter Sellers in the biopic The Life & Death of Peter Sellers.

He will be up against Paddy Considine for his role in Dead Man's Shoes, Phil Davis for Vera Drake, and Ian Hart for Beirut hostage drama Blind Flight.

The judges will be chaired by Cold Mountain director Anthony Minghella and actresses Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham-Carter.

JK Rowling will also receive a special award for her contribution to the industry, with her world of Harry Potter.