Movies screened at the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) 2009 have clinched 30 nominations for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards to be held in Los Angeles.

Nine and Avatar, the opening and closing galas of the festival on March 7, respectively, lead the list in sheer numbers for potential recognition.

“DIFF is committed to bringing the best of film experiences from around the world,” said Masoud Amralla Al Ali, DIFF artistic director.

“The recognition gained by movies screened in Dubai at the world’s foremost award events highlight the quality of film selection. These films offer an insight into modern filmmaking for the audiences and serve to inspire regional filmmakers.”

While Avatar is top contender for best picture, Nine gives company in nomination for art direction and Penelope Cruz billed for the actress in a supporting role.

Avatar has also won nominations for cinematography, film editing, music – original score, sound editing, sound mixing, and visual effects, in addition to its director James Cameron contending for best direction laurel.

The Hurt Locker, screened at DIFF 2008, gives Avatar a tight chase with nominations for actor in a leading role for Jeremy Renner; cinematography, film editing, music – original score, sound editing, sound mixing, writing – original screenplay, Best Picture and director Kathryn Bigelow pitted against Cameron for directing.

Nine has won nominations for Costume Design as well as Music – Original Song.

The music awards has a dominance of DIFF movies with Fantastic Mr Fox competing for music – original score with Avatar, and two songs from The Princess and the Frog giving hot chase for Nine in the category, music – original song.

Fantastic Mr Fox and The Princess and the Frog, both of which made their Middle East premiere at DIFF 2009, have clinched nominations for animated feature film while The Milk of Sorrow from Peru and Un Prophete from France contend for foreign language film.

Il Divo, which was screened at DIFF 2008 in the In Focus – Italy segment, is another nominee for makeup. – TradeArabia News Service