'Lion' leads AACTA nominations with 12 nods

Garth Davis' international hit 'Lion' is leading the pack of Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Nominations (AACTA) Awards nominees with 12 nods, including Best Film.

The 2016 drama, which scored six Oscar nominations earlier this year, is based on Saroo Brierley's memoir of being lost as a child in Calcutta, his adoption by an Australian couple and his search for his biological family.

Dev Patel, who plays the adult Brierley in the film, and Nicole Kidman are in the running for the supporting categories, while Sunny Pawar, who plays Brierley as a child, is nominated in the best actor category, the Deadline reported.

The other categories are Best Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Original Music Score, Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.

Ben Young's low-budget thriller 'Hounds Of Love' is up for nine awards, including best film.

The other best film nominees are 'Ali's Wedding', Berlin Syndrome and Jasper Jones.

A record 35 films were eligible for consideration this year. AACTA changed its selection process following criticism of its treatment of films that did not have a traditional cinema release.

Winners of the AACTA Awards will be announced across two major events in Sydney. The Industry Luncheon takes place on December 4, and the AACTA Awards Ceremony will be held on December 6.

Here is the list of the main Film categories:

AACTA Award For Best Film Presented By Foxtel

'Ali's Wedding' - Sheila Jayadev, Helen Panckhurst

'Berlin Syndrome' - Polly Staniford

'Hounds Of Love' - Melissa Kelly

'Jasper Jones' - Vincent Sheehan, David Jowsey

'Lion' - Emile Sherman, Iain Canning, Angie Fielder

AACTA Award For Best Direction:

'Ali's Wedding' - Jeffrey Walker

'Berlin Syndrome' - Cate Shortland

'Hounds Of Love' - Ben Young

'Lion' - Garth Davis

AACTA Award For Best Lead Actor:

Stephen Curry - 'Hounds Of Love'

Ewen Leslie - 'The Butterfly Tree'

Sunny Pawar - 'Lion'

Osamah Sami - 'Ali's Wedding'

AACTA Award For Best Supporting Actor:

Don Hany - 'Ali's Wedding'

Dev Patel - 'Lion'

Jack Thompson - 'Don't Tell'

Hugo Weaving - 'Jasper Jones'

AACTA Award For Best Supporting Actress:

Frances Duca - 'Ali's Wedding'

Nicole Kidman - 'Lion'

Jacqueline McKenzie - 'Don't Tell'

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