The Hollywood Reporter
November 7, 2006 

SYDNEY -- Nominations in an additional three international categories at the upcoming Australian Film Institute Awards were announced Monday by AFI president James Hewison.

Aimed at recognizing the achievements of Australians in internationally produced film and television, the additional categories were added to the AFI awards roster several years ago and join the nominations in film and TV categories announced last month.

Nominees in the AFI International Award for Best Actor for 2006 include Heath Ledger for "Brokeback Mountain," Eric Bana ("Munich"), Hugo Weaving ("V for Vendetta") and Anthony LaPaglia ("Winter Solstice").

In the best actress category, Toni Collette ("In Her Shoes") goes up against Naomi Watts ("King Kong"), Radha Mitchell ("Silent Hill") and Rachel Griffiths ("Six Feet Under").

AFI International Award for Excellence in Filmmaking nominations include Donald McAlpine (cinematography for "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"); Roger Ford (production design for "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"); Dion Beebe (cinematography for "Memoirs of a Geisha") and Roger Donaldson (producing/direction/screenplay for "The World's Fastest Indian").

The AFI will hand out its annual awards at ceremonies in Melbourne in early December.