Sophia Coppola, seen here next to a camera in an undated handout photo, was named as an Oscar nominee for best director, best original screenplay and best film, as a producer, for her work on "Lost in Translation" for the 76th Academy Awards. The film also garnered a best actor nomination for Bill Murray. Coppola is the first American woman to be nominated for directing. Special

Trivia from the 76th annual Academy Award nominations

Tidbits and trivia from Tuesday's Oscar nominations:

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Director Peter Jackson (left) directs actor Sean Astin, as "Sam," in this undated promotional photo from New Line Cinema's "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King." The final chapter in Jackson's majestic fantasy trilogy led the Academy Awards race Tuesday, with 11 nominations, including best picture and director. Special

- The best picture nomination for "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" marks the second time all three films in a trilogy have been so honored, following nods for the first two "Lord of the Rings" installments in 2001 and 2002. "The Godfather" films in 1972, 1974 and 1990 each received a best picture nomination.

- The nomination for 13-year-old Keisha Castle-Hughes in "Whale Rider" makes her the youngest lead actress nominee to date. Isabelle Adjani was 20 when she was nominated for 1975's "The Story of Adele H." Younger players have been nominated in the actor, supporting actor and supporting actress categories, with the youngest being 8-year-old Justin Henry for supporting actor in 1979's "Kramer vs. Kramer."

- "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" received 11 nominations, but none for acting, making it the first time a film has received that many nominations without any acting recognition.

- Sofia Coppola is the first American woman to be nominated for directing. Other nominated women directors include Lina Wertmuller of Italy for 1976's "Seven Beauties," and Jane Campion of New Zealand for 1993's "The Piano."

- If Sofia Coppola wins an Oscar in any of the three categories in which she's nominated (directing, original screenplay and picture), it would make her the second third-generation Oscar-winner, following grandfather Carmine Coppola and father Francis Ford Coppola. The first family members to achieve this generational feat were Walter, John and Anjelica Huston.

--From the Wednesday, January 28, 2004 online edition of the Augusta Chronicle