'Animal Kingdom' leads AFI nominations

Animal Kingdom has received a record 18 nominations for the 2010 AFI (Australian Film Institute) awards.

The movie has been nominated at least once in every category for which it was eligible.

The nominations host Jacki Weaver was nominated for best lead actress. The film's other cast members - Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, Sullivan Stapleton, Laura Wheelright and James Frecheville - were also nominated.

Beneath Hill 60 was the second most successful movie, achieving 12 nominations.

Cate Blanchett was in attendance on the night as one of the nomination presenters.

The 2010 Samsung Mobile AFI Industry Awards will commence on December 10, followed by the 2010 Samsung Mobile AFI Awards Ceremony the day after.

The main nominations:

International Best Actor:

• Simon Baker - The Mentalist
• Ryan Kwanten - True Blood
• Kodi Smit-McPhee - The Road
• Sam Worthington - Avatar

International Best Actress:

• Toni Collette - United States of Tara
• Bojana Novakovic - Edge of Darkness
• Mia Wasikowska - Alice in Wonderland
• Naomi Watts - Mother and Child

Young Actor:

• Ashleigh Cummings - Tomorrow When the War Began
• Morgana Davies - The Tree
• James Frecheville - Animal Kingdom
• Harrison Gilbertson - Beneath Hill 60

Best Television Comedy:

• Lowdown - ABC
• Review with Myles Barlow - ABC
• Wilfred II - SBS

Best Light Entertainment Television:

• The Gruen Transfer - ABC1
• Hungry Beast - ABC1
• MasterChef Australia - Network Ten
• Talkin’ ‘bout Your Generation - Network Ten

Best Television Drama:

• The Circuit – SBS
• Rush - Network Ten
• Spirited - W
• Tangle - Showcase

Best Film:

• Animal Kingdom
• Beneath Hill 60
• Bran Nue Dae
• Bright Star
• The Tree
• Tomorrow When the War Began