Since 1996, Empire—Britain's biggest selling film magazine—has organised the annual Empire Movie Awards. The awards are voted for by readers of the magazine. The categories for awards are:

• Best British Actor
• Best British Actress
• Best British Film
• Best Debut (until 2002)
• Best Newcomer (beginning 2003)
• Best Actor
• Best Actress
• Best Director
• Best Film
• Empire Lifetime Achievement Award (until 2003)
• Empire Career Achievement Award (2004)
• Best British Director (1997-2001)
• Empire Inspiration Award (1997,1999,2001,2002)
• Empire Movie Masterpiece (1999,2000)
• Special Award for Contribution to Cinema (2000)
• Empire Independent Spirit Award (beginning 2002)
• Sony Ericsson Best Scene (beginning 2003)