WILL MATT BAKER MAKE IT A SECOND YEAR RUNNING?

Fantastical adventure, compelling drama and 3D animation do battle to win the Feature Film category at this years British Academy Childrens Film and Television Awards in association with the LEGO Company.  Whale Rider, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets and The Wild Thornberrys have all been nominated for best Feature Film . 

Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Wild Thornberrys also go head to head in the LEGO/BAFTA Kids Vote with Lilo & Stitch, Treasure Planet and five other  films* in contention.  For the first time, the LEGO/BAFTA Kids Vote gives thousands of children across the country the chance to have a say about their favourite film.  Children can vote until  21^st November at www.kidsvote.net.           

Now in its eighth year, the star studded event will be held at Londons Park Lane Hilton on 30^th November, celebrating the very best in childrens TV and film.  The event will be hosted by childrens favourite Fearne Cotton and attended by some of the best known faces in TV, film, music and sport. 

This years Drama category highlights a number of topical social issues. Both Behind Closed Doors and The Story of Tracey Beaker, address the issues of domestic violence and fostering from a childs perspective.  Also competing in the Drama category are Bootleg and My Parents Are Aliens.  The Factual category also tackles some of natures more serious issues with nominations for Blue Peter Launch of the Tanzania Water Appeal and The Really Wild Show.  Other contenders in the Factual category include Get the Skinny and RAD and The Grommets Tour.   

Following on from his success at last years awards, Blue Peters Matt Baker has again been nominated in the Presenter category.  He is up against well known CBBC presenter Angellica Bell, also nominated last year and new faces Christian Stevenson and Reggie Yates.  The Entertainment category also sees some new faces. For the first time in five years, all nominations are new programmes and demonstrate the continuing quality output of childrens broadcasters.  Nominations are Globo Loco, The Raven, Rule the School and You Can Do Magic.

In the International category, nominees range from Australia to America and cover entertainment to education. Thats So Raven, 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, Dont Blame the Koalas and Arthur all compete for the highly sought-after British Academy award.

Additional categories receiving awards at the star studded event include Animation, Interactive, Writer, Schools Factual Primary and Secondary, Schools Drama, Pre-School Animation and Pre-School Live Animation. A Special Award for outstanding creative contribution to childrens programming will also be presented.

BAFTAs Chief Executive, Amanda Berry, said, We have had an outstanding variety of talented and interesting entries for this years awards from both terrestrial and satellite broadcasters.  Each year the quality of childrens television and film surpasses expectations and we are delighted to be able to recognise and reward the best in the industry. I am particularly grateful to our sponsors the LEGO Company, a brand, which like BAFTA, celebrates creativity, imagination and excellence for children.

Notes to Editors

* The Top 10 Films for the LEGO/BAFTA Kids Vote:

-          Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets

-          Hulk

-          Jungle Book 2

-          Lilo & Stitch

-          Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

-          Men In Black II

-          Santa Clause 2

-          Treasure Planet

-          The Wild Thornberrys

-          X-Men 2