New York, Oct 5 (DPA) Programmes from 15 countries were nominated Monday for the international Emmy Awards, with Britain leading the way with nine nominees.

The award for best drama will pit Japan's "Clouds over Hill" and Argentina's "Epitafios" against Denmark's "The Killing II" and Britain's "The Street".

The comedy nominees include "Los Simuladores" (Mexico), "Peep Show" (Britain), "Talok Hok Chak" (Thailand) and "Traffic Light" (Israel).

The best actor award is between Bob Hoskins, "The Street" (Britain); Sebastian Koch, "Sea Wolf" (Germany); Sid Lucero, "Dahil May Isang Ikaw" (The Philippines); and Leonardo Sbaraglia, "Epitafios" (Argentina).

The best actress nominees include Iris Berben, "The Krupps - A Family Between War and Peace" (Germany); Helena Bonham Carter, "Enid" (Britain); Lilia Cabral, "Seize the Day" (Brazil); and Lerato Moloisane, "Home Affairs" (South Africa).

The nominees for children's programming are "13 at War" (Holland), "Do-Re-Mi-Factory" (Brazil), "Happy Birthday" (Japan) and "Shaun the Sheep" (Britain).

The winners will be announced Nov 22 at a gala ceremony in New York.

Lorne Michaels, who created "Saturday Night", is set to receive the Directorate Award. "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell will receive the Founders Award.