Actors Colin Firth (L) and Helena Bonham Carter are shown in a scene from the film “The King’s Speech” in this undated publicity photo released to Reuters on January 25, 2011. The film was nominated for best picture for the 83rd Academy Awards announced in Beverly Hills January 25, 2011. The Oscars will be presented February 27, 2011 in Hollywood. ©Reuters

BEIJING, Jan. 26 — British historical film “The King’s Speech” was named the Oscar front runner with 12 nominations, including for best picture, media reports said Wednesday.

The film beat rivals including Western “True Grit” and the Facebook drama “The Social Network,” for the 83rd Academy Awards to be held on Feb. 27.

The film, staring 50-year-old British actor Colin Firth, tells the story about Queen Elizabeth II’s dad, King George VI’s struggle to overcome stammer in the 1930s.

Firth was nominated for best actor, while Helena Bonham Carter, who plays his royal wife, was nominated for best supporting actress.

Geoffrey Rush playing the speech therapist who helps the king was nominated for best supporting actor.

“The King’s Speech” also won Oscar nods for directing, editing, musical score, art direction, cinematography, costume design, sound mixing and original screenplay.

Other films nominated for best picture also include the psychosexual thriller “Black Swan”, the boxing drama “The Fighter”, the science-fiction blockbuster “Inception”, the lesbian-family tale “The Kids Are All Right”, the survival story “127 Hours”, the animated smash “Toy Story 3”, and the Ozarks crime thriller “Winter’s Bone.” 

On Xinhua Web site: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/entertainment/2011-01/26/c_13707641.htm