An Education, Avatar And The Hurt Locker Lead BAFTA Nominations

21 January 2010 12:56 AM, PST | WENN | See recent WENN news »

British film An Education, sci-fi blockbuster Avatar and war thriller The Hurt Locker are set to go head-to-head at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards next month - the films all scored eight nominations each.

All three movies will compete against Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire and Up In The Air for the night's Best Picture prize.

Neill Blomkamp's sci-fi thriller District 9 is also up for seven awards, while Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and George Clooney's Up In The Air have six nominations apiece.

An Education star Carey Mulligan will compete for the Best Actress statue, facing competition from Hollywood veteran Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia), French star Audrey Tautou (Coco Before Chanel), Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones) and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire).

Meanwhile, Brit actor Colin Firth has scooped his second ever BAFTA nomination for his performance in fashion designer Tom Ford's directorial debut, A Single Man. He will compete in the Best actor category alongside Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart), George Clooney (Up In The Air), Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Andy Serkis (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll).

The awards will be handed out at London's Royal Opera House on 21 February.

The main BAFTA 2010 nominees are:

Best Film:

Avatar

An Education

The Hurt Locker

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Up In The Air

Outstanding British Film:

An Education

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