The Hours takes first blood in awards season

The first indication of the front runners for this year's Oscars has been announced in America.

The National Board Of Review has named the best films and actors of the year.

The Hours, which stars Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore was named Best Film. It is directed by Stephen Daldry, his follow-up to Billy Elliot.

Moore was also named Best Actress for her role in another film, Far From Heaven. Campbell Scott won Best Actor for Rodger Dodger.

Chris Cooper was given the Best Supporting Actor award and Kathy Bates won the Actress equivalent.

Nicholas Nickelby, which contains a mostly British cast, won the Best Acting By An Ensemble award.

Philip Noyce was named Best Director for both The Quiet American and Rabbit Proof Fence while George Clooney was given an award for Special Film-making Achievement for his directorial debut Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind.

The film's writer, Charlie Kaufman was named Screenwriter Of The Year. He has also written Adaptation and Human Nature.

George Lucas was honoured with the Special Award For Visionary Cinematic Achievement while Christopher Plummer was given the Career Achievement award.