The Empire Magazine award ceremony will take place at the Dorchester Hotel, London, this weekend.

Movie stars from around the world are preparing for one of the top film award ceremonies in the UK.

Stars including Matt Damon, Ewan McGregor, James McAvoy, Claudia Schiffer and Simon Pegg are among a host of celebrities set to walk down the red carpet.

Best Newcomer nominees Sam Riley, who starred in Anton Corbijn’s Joy Division flick Control, and Gemma Arterton from St Trinian’s are also attending the event.

Readers of Empire magazine have also been voting for the winners of 10 other categories: Best Comedy, Best Sci-fi/Fantasy, Best Horror, Best Thriller, Best Soundtrack, Best British Film, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Film.

The awards also differ from bigger ceremonies such as the Oscars and Baftas in that films such as There Will Be Blood and No Country For Old Men have not been nominated because they were 2008 releases.

The ceremony will be televised on Monday March 10 on ITV2 at 9pm.

Thomas Turgoose (16), famed for his appearance in This Is England, has been nominated for best newcomer in the prestigious Empire Awards 2008.

He is up against tough competition, however, in the shape of Shia LaBeouf, the Transformers star billed to play a leading role in the next Indiana Jones film.

Fellow Brit and new Bond girl Gemma Arterton will also be battling for the esteemed prize.

Asked who he would want to win if he couldn’t vote for himself, Thomas said: “Probably Gemma because she’s quite pretty as well as being a top actress.

“I’m shocked Shia LeBeouf is up for the award though – he has been in twenty-odd things if you look him up on the Internet.

“He’s a good actor though – I went to see him in Transformers with my girlfriend, and he was great in that.”

He added: “I think I was probably nominated because it was a natural performance.

“It’s my first film job and a difficult one.

“I really hope enough people have voted.”

Source: metro.co.uk and thisisgrimsby.co.uk