In an extensive reorganisation in its seventh year, the 2004 Swiss Film Prize will include new prize categories, distribute Euros 32,000 (CHF 50,000) more in prize-money and award Euros 180,000 (CHF 280,000) in newly created nomination premiums.

The existing categories of Best Feature Film, Best Documentary and Best Short Film will all see their prize-money bumped up and will now be joined by Best Lead Role and Best Supporting Role - replacing the previous categories of Best Actress and Best Actor.

A newly established Jury Prize will also be awarded in recognition of "an outstanding cultural contribution" to one of the nominated works.

The Swiss Film Prize is also introducing nomination premiums - ranging between Euros 3,200 and Euros 12,800 - for the first five prize categories.

The nominees for Best Feature Film are: Achtung, fertig, Charlie! (dir: Mike Eschmann), Au Sud Des Nuages (dir: Jean-Francois Amiguet), Des Epaules Solides (dir: Ursula Meier), Little Girl Blue (dir: Anna Luif), and Mein Name Ist Bach (dir: Dominique de Rivaz).

The nominations for Best Documentary are: Elisabeth Kuebler-Ross - Dem Tod Ins Gesicht Sehen (dir: Stefan Haupt), Mais Im Bundeshuus (dir: Jean-Stephane Bron), Mission En Enfer (dir: Frederic Gonseth), Skinhead Attitude (dir: Daniel Schweizer), and Viaggio A Misterbianco (dir: Paolo Poloni).

The nominations for Best Short are: Einspruch III (dir: Rolando Colla), L'Escalier (dir: Frederic Mermoud), Green Oaks (dir: Ruxandra Zenide), Interface (dir: Pierre-Yves Borgeaud), and Meyers (dir: Steven Hayes).

In addition, six actors or actresses received nominations in the Best Main and Supporting Role categories.

The Film Prize, which is organised by the Federal Office of Culture in association with broadcaster SRG SSR idee suisse, Swiss Film, the Solothurn Film Days, Nyon's "Visions du reel" International Film Festival, and the Locarno International Film Festival, will be presented during next year's Solothurn Film Days on 21 Jan, 2004.