French crime drama scores six European film awards

MADRID (Reuters) -The French crime movie "Un Prophete" (A Prophet) has been nominated for six European Film awards, including best film and best director, organisers said.

Tahar Rahim was nominated as best actor for his role as an illiterate prisoner in the film, which also saw director Jacques Audiard receive a screenwriting nod with Thomas Bidegain.

The Oscar-winning British film "Slumdog Millionaire" scooped five nominations, including best picture, best director for Danny Boyle and best actor for Dev Patel.

Spain's Pedro Almodovar also received a directing nomination, for "Los Abrazos Rotos" (Broken Embraces). The film is Almodovar's fourth collaboration with Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, nominated in the best actress category.

Cruz will compete with Charlotte Gainsbourg for her role in "Antichrist" and Kate Winslet for her Oscar-winning turn as a Nazi in "The Reader."

Other candidates for best film are: "Fish Tank," from British writer and director Andrea Arnold; "Let the Right One In," a Swedish vampire romance directed by Tomas Alfredson; "The Reader," directed by Stephen Daldry; and Austrian film maker Michael Haneke's "The White Ribbon."

The more than 2,000 members of the European Film Academy will vote for the winners, who will be announced during a ceremony on December 12 in Bochum, Germany.

The Italian film "Gomorra" swept the board at last year's awards, winning best film and best director for Matteo Garrone.

(Reporting by Judy MacInnes; editing by Mark Trevelyan)