8th Empire Awards


The 8th Empire Awards ceremony, presented by the British film magazine Empire, honored the best films of 2002 and took place on 5 February 2003 at The Dorchester Hotel in London, England. During the ceremony, Empire presented Empire Awards in nine categories as well as two honorary awards. The award for Sony Ericsson Scene of the Year was first introduced this year. The Best Debut award was renamed to "Best Newcomer". British actor Richard E. Grant hosted the show for the first time. The awards were sponsored by Sony Ericsson for the first time.
Minority Report won the most awards with three including Best Director for Steven Spielberg. Other winners included 28 Days Later, About a Boy, Die Another Day, Spider-Man, Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with one. Dustin Hoffman received the Lifetime Achievement Award and Michael Winterbottom and Andrew Eaton received the Independent Spirit Award for their role in the direction and production of 24 Hour Party People.

Winners and nominees

Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
28 Days Later
  • * 24 Hour Party People
  • * About a Boy
  • * Bend It Like Beckham
  • * The Guru
  • Steven SpielbergMinority Report
  • * M. Night ShyamalanSigns
  • * Peter JacksonThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  • * Sam RaimiSpider-Man
  • * Steven SoderberghOcean's Eleven
  • Tom CruiseMinority Report
  • * Colin FarrellMinority Report
  • * Mike MyersAustin Powers in Goldmember
  • * Tom HanksRoad to Perdition
  • * Viggo MortensenThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  • Hugh GrantAbout a Boy
  • * Andy SerkisThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  • * Ian McKellenThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  • * Jude LawRoad to Perdition
  • * Steve Coogan24 Hour Party People
  • Kirsten DunstSpider-Man
  • * Halle BerryDie Another Day
  • * Hilary SwankInsomnia
  • * Jennifer ConnellyA Beautiful Mind
  • * Miranda OttoThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
  • Samantha MortonMinority Report
  • * Emily WatsonRed Dragon
  • * Helen MirrenGosford Park
  • * Keira KnightleyBend It Like Beckham
  • * Kelly MacdonaldGosford Park
  • Rosamund PikeDie Another Day
  • * Cillian Murphy28 Days Later
  • * Neil MarshallDog Soldiers
  • * Martin CompstonSweet Sixteen
  • * Parminder NagraBend It Like Beckham
  • Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones: Yoda's duel
  • * Austin Powers in Goldmember: The opening sequence
  • * Die Another Day: The sword fight
  • * Minority Report: The spyders
  • * The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Gollum's debate
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Dustin Hoffman
  • Independent Spirit Award: Michael Winterbottom and Andrew Eaton Director & Producer of 24 Hour Party People
  • Multiple awards

    The following film received multiple awards:
    AwardsFilm
    3Minority Report

    Multiple nominations

    The following 11 films received multiple nominations:
    NominationsFilm
    7The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
    6Minority Report
    4Die Another Day
    324 Hour Party People
    3Bend It Like Beckham
    3Road to Perdition
    3Spider-Man
    228 Days Later
    2About a Boy
    2Austin Powers in Goldmember
    2Gosford Park