[4] As per previous years, only films intended for theatrical release, and those which had a public screening to a paying audience either on general release in the UK or at a British film festival between 1 October 2002 and 30 September 2003 were eligible for consideration.
[5][6] Shortlists were announced on 23 September 2003 at Soho House in London, with the number of nominations for each category increased from four to five.
[7][8] Stephen Frears' social thriller, Dirty Pretty Things led with seven nominations.
Winners in thirteen categories were selected from the shortlists and a further five were awarded entirely at the jury's discretion, whose make up included Daniel Battsek, Lindy Hemming, Tom Hollander, Lindy King (Agent), Kevin MacDonald, Roman Osin, Tracey Scoffield (Head of Development and Executive Producer, BBC Film), Meera Syal, Colin Vaines and Parminder Nagra.
[9][10] The awards for Best International Independent Film which had previously been split by English and Foreign language were merged this year.