Empties by Jan Svěrák, a smash hit in domestic cinema last year, received nine nominations. Empties has attracted more than 1.2 million people with sales of more than 124 million crowns (€4.8 million), according to Czech Union of Film Distributors (www.ufd.cz).

Both Secrets and Empties will compete in all the main categories, including best film, best director, best screenplay and best actor and actress in a leading role. Václav, a film by director Jiří Vejdělek, is the third contender in the best film category.

There was a surprise in the best actress category. Along with Czech actresses Daniela Kolářová nominated for Empties and Iva Bittová for Secrets, French actress Marion Cotillard was nominated for her role as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose by director Olivier Dahan. As a Czech-French-British co-production, La Vie en Rose is also eligible for the Czech Lion. It was also nominated for best sound and best music. Marion Cotillard already has received Golden Globe for her role as well as an Oscar nomination.

The Czech Lion awards ceremony will take place in Prague on March 1.