Vancouver: Television series Da Vinci’s Inquest and feature Flower & Garnet dominated the 2003 Leo Awards nominations announced April 16.

The fifth annual awards are given to B.C. residents contributing to domestic and service film and television productions in 14 program categories such as best feature-length drama and 67 craft categories. Eligible entries increased 14% over 2002.

Coroner series Da Vinci’s Inquest nabbed 21 nods to lead 11 nominated television series. Da Vinci’s Inquest is up for best drama series, and has multiple nominations in screenwriting (Frank Borg, Alan Di Fiore, Chris Haddock for one script; Haddock, Di Fiore and Rick Crooks for another), picture editing (Jane Morrison, Lenka Svab), actors (with Donnelly Rhodes, Ian Tracey and Nicholas Campbell vying for the same trophy), supporting actor (Tom Heaton, Glen Gould, Stephen E. Miller, Larrie Brunetti) and supporting actress (Emily Perkins, Enid-Raye Adams, Stefany Mathias). Curiously, Da Vinci’s was not nominated in the director category.

Syndicated Stargate SG-1 earned 12 noms, including best television drama, visual effects (James Tichenor and others) and production design (Bridget McGuire and others). Cold Squad is up for 10, but was not nominated as best series, while new show Just Cause is up for eight, including best series.

In the feature-length drama category, Flower & Garnet earned 13 nominations among 16 projects nominated. F&G is up for best feature, director (Keith Behrman, also nominated for writing), cinematography (Steve Cosens), score (Peter Allen), actor (Callum Keith Rennie, Colin Roberts) and actress (Jane McGregor).

Hallmark miniseries Snow Queen is up for eight nominations, including best program, actor (Jeremy Guibant) and actress (Chelsea Hobbs).

Feature film Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity received seven nominations, including nods to Mina Shum for directing and writing (with Dennis Foon), best program and supporting actors (Chang Tseng, Colin Foo). The Burial Society also got seven nominations, including best program, best director Nicholas Racz (also up for writing), production design (James Hazell) and actor (Rob LaBelle).

The hotly contested short film category lived up to tradition, with five shorts running neck-and-neck. The Bug and Casanova at 50 are both nominated for seven Leos, with The Bug up for best short, director (Dylan Akio Smith) and writer (Brad Dryborough, also up for best actor), and Casanova earning nods for best direction (Bruce Marchfelder), actor (Jay Brazeau) and actress (Gabrielle Rose).

Three shorts have six noms each: Jane Post, for best short, director (Jane Sowerby, also up for writing and actress); Once Upon a Time on the Beach, up for best short, director (Kelly-Ruth Mercier), writer (Geoff Inverartiy) and actor (Jaryd Heidrick); and The Bed, for best short, director (John Penhall, also up for writing) and actress (Ingrid Kavelaars).

Teen soap Edgemont leads the youth programs with nine nominations, including best program, director (Anthony Atkins, Bill Geheghty), writer (Joan McLeod, Ian Weir) and performers (Kristin Kreuk, Sarah Lind, Vanessa King, Micah Gardener).

In the documentary category, Fix: The Story of an Addicted City joins Guinea Pig Club and The Boys of Buchenwald with six nominations each. Fix is also up for best director (Nettie Wild), cinematography (Kirk Tougas, Nettie Wild) and picture editing (Reg Harkema). Guinea Pig Club is also up for best director (Shel Piercy, also nominated for writing) and score (Peter Berring, Ed Henderson).

Among eight animated programs nominated, Joe (director Jill Haras) and The Chinese Violin (director Joe Chang) are up for four Leos each.

Healing with Animals is nominated for four Leos in the best information series category, including best program and director (Mary Bissell and Mark Fuller). First Story is up for three nominations. Jonathon Brownlee’s At Home is up for three in this category and two in the best lifestyle program category, led by The Shopping Bags with four nominations, including best host (Anna Wallner, Kristina Matisic).

The special Western Alienation Comedy Hour leads the variety program category with four nominations.

The Leo Awards Celebration and Gala Awards Ceremonies take place May 9 and 10 at the Westin Bayshore Resort & Marina in Vancouver.

-www.leoawards.com