Banksy up for critics film prize

UK graffiti artist Banksy will be among the nominees at next year’s London Critics’ Circle film awards.

The artist, who conceals his true identity, is up for the breakthrough British film-maker prize for his documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop.

British films Another Year and The King’s Speech lead the field with seven nominations each.

Colin Firth, star of the latter, is up for two awards for his role as stammering monarch George VI.

The 50-year-old is up for both best actor and best British actor at the awards, to be held in London on 10 February.

The King’s Speech, directed by Tom Hooper, pulls off a similar feat with nominations in both the best film and best British film categories.

Helena Bonham Carter, up for best British actress for Hooper’s film, gets an additional supporting actress nod for Alice in Wonderland.

British actor Andrew Garfield is also up for two prizes recognising his performances in both The Social Network and Never Let Me Go.

Christopher Nolan’s work on his thriller Inception sees him up for both director and British director of the year.

Former Bond girl Rosamund Pike also lands a pair of nominations, for her roles in Barney’s Version and Made in Dagenham.

In the film of the year category, The King’s Speech competes with fellow Oscar contenders Black Swan, The Social Network, The Kids are All Right and Toy Story 3.

Its competition for the best British film prize include Another Year, directed by Mike Leigh, and Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours.

Exit Through the Gift Shop explores the phenomenon of street art and features a disguised Banksy talking about his craft.

The elusive artist’s competition for the breakthrough British film-maker prize includes British satirist Chris Morris, cited for his controversial suicide bomber comedy Four Lions.

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