Stephen Daldry's Billy Elliot has garnered five nominations at the forthcoming British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), including nods for best British independent film and best director. The low-budget film, co-produced by Working Title, Tiger Aspect and the BBC, has also picked up nominations for best actress (Julie Walters), best screenplay (Lee Hall) and best on-screen newcomer (Jamie Bell).

Other films in the best independent British film category include Terence Davies' The House Of Mirth, Kevin MacDonald's Oscar-winning documentary One Day In September, Nigel Cole's Saving Grace and Paul Pawlikowski's The Last Resort.

Saving Grace, The Last Resort and Jim Doyle's Going Off Big Time have received four nominations each.

Nominees for the Douglas Hickox Award - for a British director's debut feature - are Ben Hopkins (Simon Magus), Jamie Thraves (The Low Down), Jim Doyle (Going Off Big Time), Julian Nott (Weak At Denise) and Kevin MacDonald (One Day in September).

Other categories in the awards - which are to be held on October 25 and hosted by UK comedian Richard Blackwood - include best off-screen newcomer and best achievement in production. Nominees for best foreign-language independent film include Beau Travail, Kadosh, The Emperor And The Assassin, Those Who Love Me Can Take The Train and Une Liaison Pornographique. Nominees for best English-language foreign independent film include Boiler Room, Chuck And Buck, Jesus' Son, Nurse Betty and The Straight Story.

Other awards still to be announced include the lifetime achievement award, sponsored by Screen International, the producer of the year award and FilmFour's special jury prize.