'Balibo' gets 14 nominations in AFI awards

WENN

Balibo has been nominated for 14 gongs at the upcoming Australian Film Institute awards ceremony.

The Aussie film, which tells the story of a group of journalists who were killed in East Timor, has received nominations in most of the film categories including 'Best Direction', 'Best Film' and 'Best Actor' for its star, Anthony LaPaglia.

The movie's producer John Maynard told the ABC: "It's done extremely well for us. It's a tough film, it's a film that says something. It's had a wonderful impact in East Timor. I think it's done something to mend some of our relationships with East Timor which have been very fractious over the years."

He added: "It was quite wonderful to show this hidden history, this very painful history that we share with East Timor to East Timorese."

Samson and Delilah received 13 nominations, Beautiful Kate got 10, Mao's Last Dancer broke into nine categories and Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman movie Australia received eight.

The awards show takes place in December.