Oscar nominations announced

The nominations for this year's Oscars Awards have been revealed this afternoon by actor Sigourney Weaver.

As expected, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King topped the list with a total of 11 nominations from the 24 categories in all. Russell Crowe's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World put in a suprisingly good performance with 10 nominations in all.

In contrast to its 13 nominations at the BAFTAs, the American feel-good flick Cold Mountain fared less well today, garnering just seven nominations and missing out on a nomination for best film. Jude Law took a nomination for best actor but Nicole Kidman escaped recognition for best actress.

Peter Jackson is up for best director (Return of the King) as are Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation), Fernando Meirelles (City of God), Peter Weir (Master & Commander) and Clint Eastwood (Mystic River).

Nominees for the most prestigious of all awards, best picture, include Lord of the Rings, Mystic River, Lost in Translation, Master & Commander and Seabiscuit.

13-year-old New Zealander Keisha Castle-Hughes took a surpise best actress nomination for Whale Rider, making her the youngest ever nominee in the category.British actress Samantha Morton also got a nomination in the category for her role in In America.

Best actor contenders included Brits Jude Law and Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Sean Penn and Johnny Depp.

Members of the Academy will now have two weeks to vote in the categories before the ceremony itself on February 29.

Click here to view the nominees in full.