"Labyrinth" leads way at Mexico film awards

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-02-22 16:03

MEXICO CITY (Hollywood Reporter) - Guillermo del Toro's dark fantasy "Pan's Labyrinth" garnered an impressive 12 nominations Wednesday for the 49th Ariel Awards, Mexico's top film prize.

The violent saga picked up nominations in such categories as best picture, director, cinematography and actress (Spain's Maribel Verdu).

A spokeswoman for the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences said she expects del Toro to attend the ceremony, set for March 20 at Mexico City's Palace of Fine Arts.

"Labyrinth" has fared particularly well this awards season. It won best foreign picture at the recent BAFTA awards, took home seven of Spain's Goya statuettes, and is up for six Oscars on Sunday.

In all, 11 Mexican features will vie for Ariel awards. In the best picture category, "Labyrinth" will go up against Sebastian Cordero's thriller "Chronicles," a film produced by del Toro and Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron. Also in the running is Francisco Vargas' debut feature "The Violin," a black-and-white drama that has been well received on the festival circuit. Cordero and Vargas also grabbed nominations for best director.

"Violin" secured a total of seven Ariel nominations, while "Chronicles" picked up six.