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Atonement leads the nominations as BAFTAs are set to outdazzle the Oscars
Last updated at 11:57am on 18.01.08
Bafta nominee: Keira Knightley could scoop best actress for her role in Atonement
Homegrown stars and productions scored an impressive list of nominations for the British Academy Film Awards.
The BAFTAs usually play second fiddle to the glittering showbusiness events in the U.S.
But a celebrity boycott over the Hollywood writers' strike scuppered last weekend's Golden Globes ceremony - and threatens to do the same to the Oscar ceremony planned for February 24.
In contrast, a raft of big-name stars are expected to attend the British awards at London's Royal Opera House on February 10.
Atonement headed the list of nominations announced yesterday with 14.
The gritty war drama based on a book by Ian McEwen was nominated for best film and best British film, as well as the best actor and actress awards for its stars James McAvoy and Keira Knightley.
McAvoy will compete with Daniel Day-Lewis, named for his role in There Will Be Blood.
Miss Knightley is up against Julie Christie and Australian Cate Blanchett.
Miss Blanchett has also been nominated for the best supporting actress Bafta for her role playing a young Bob Dylan in I'm Not There, alongside Tilda Swinton, Samantha Morton and Scots actress Kelly Macdonald.
After a critically-acclaimed performance in her film Interview, Sienna Miller is hotly tipped to scoop the Rising Star award chosen by the public.
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Day-Lewis, who faces stiff competition from Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney, said last night: "In a year of such fine performances, it is a lovely thing to be included among them."
The strike by the Writers Guild of America, which began almost two months ago in a dispute over royalties, has badly damaged the industry there.
Sunday's Golden Globes were a decidedly downbeat affair.
Celebrities stayed away and winners' names had to be rushed out in a 30-minute press conference.
Britons took home a huge haul of awards, with Atonement, Day-Lewis, Miss Christie, Jim Broadbent, Miss Morton and the TV comedy Extras all successful.
Success story: Atonement stars James McAvoy, who is up for best actor, Saoirse Ronan (best supporting actress), Vanessa Redgrave, Joe Wright (best director) and Keira Knightley (best actress)
