FRESH OF THE back of a successful Golden Globes awards ceremony, silent film The Artist looks set to dominate the British Academy Film Awards next month.
The Michel Hazanavicius-directed movie received 12 nods, including in the best film and best director categories. It is also nominated for original screenplay, while its two stars Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo have been nominated for the leading actor and actress awards.
Dujardin will go up against Golden Globe winner George Clooney in the leading actor category. Joining them are Brad Pitt for Moneyball, Michael Fassbender for Shame and Gary Oldman for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which is up for a total of 11 awards.
Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams will battle it out with Bejo for the leading actress gong for their portrayals of real-life characters Margaret Thatcher and Marilyn Monroe. Tilda Swinton for her work in the haunting adaptation of We Need To Talk About Kevin and The Help’s Viola Davis have also been nominated.
The Best Film line-up includes The Descendants, Drive, The Help and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, as well as The Artist.
Behind The Artist and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is Martin Scorcese’s animation feature Hugo with nine nominations.
Scorsese himself is nominated for best director but is also to receive the BAFTA Fellowship for 2012 for his “outstanding and exceptional contribution to film”.
“A legend in his lifetime and a true inspiration to all young directors the world over,” chairman Tim Corrie said of the acclaimed director.
The winners will be revealed at the Royal Opera House on 12 February. Stephen Fry will host the lavish ceremony, which will be broadcast live on BBC1.
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and young British actress Holliday Grainger announced this year’s nominations at a presentation this morning.
