McKellen to be honoured at awards

Sir Ian McKellen will be honoured at the ceremony

Actor Sir Ian McKellen will be honoured at this year's British Independent Film Awards for his contribution to the British movie industry.

The Lord of the Rings star will receive the Variety UK personality award at the sixth annual ceremony in London.

Stephen Frears' Dirty Pretty Things dominated the nominations, appearing in seven categories including best film.

Ewan McGregor is up for best actor for Young Adam, while Joaquin Phoenix is shortlisted for Buffalo Soldiers.

Helena Bonham Carter features in the best actress nominees for The Heart of Me, in which she is up against co-star Olivia Williams as well as Tilda Swinton for Young Adam. Samantha Morton also features in the category for her role in In America.

Frears competes against 28 Days Later's Danny Boyle for best director. David McKenzie (Young Adam), Jim Sheridan (In America) and Michael Winterbotton (In This World) are also on the shortlist.

Buffalo Soldiers, 28 Days Later and Magdalene Sisters join Dirty Pretty Things on the shortlist for best film.

The awards will take place at Po Na Na in Hammersmith, west London on 4 November.