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Stars arrive for Baftas ceremony Cinema stars attend Bafta awards
(about 1 hour later)
Stars are arriving for the Orange Baftas awards ceremony in London. Stars have arrived for the Orange Baftas ceremony in London.
Casino Royale star Daniel Craig, a best actor nominee for his performance as James Bond, said: "Win or lose, it's going to be a good night." Daniel Craig, a best actor nominee for Casino Royale, said: "Win or lose, it's going to be a good night."
The film picked up nine nominations, while royal drama The Queen leads the field with 10, including one for Dame Helen Mirren as best actress. The Queen leads the field with 10 nominations, including for best film, Dame Helen Mirren for best actress and Stephen Frears for directing.
The ceremony, seen as one of the most important in the global film calendar, is being held at the Royal Opera House. Babel, The Last King of Scotland, The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine are also vying for best film, at one of the key events in the global film calendar.
For the first time in six years, the awards will not be hosted by comedian Stephen Fry, who stepped down last year. The ceremony is being held at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
BBC presenter Jonathan Ross will step in to front the event for the first time. Dame Helen is favourite for the best actress prize, after numerous earlier honours for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in the film set during the days after Princess Diana's death.
MAIN BAFTA NOMINEES The Queen - 10Casino Royale (above) - 9Pan's Labyrinth - 8Babel - 7The Departed - 6Little Miss Sunshine - 6United 93 - 6 Full list of nominees MAIN BAFTA NOMINEES The Queen - 10Casino Royale (above) - 9Pan's Labyrinth - 8Babel - 7The Departed - 6Little Miss Sunshine - 6United 93 - 6 Full list of nominees "I read a lot about [the Queen] as a young girl and really, in a way, although I'm playing her at the age of 70... I play the young girl in her," said the actress on her way into the event.
While one film often dominates the Baftas, this year sees several movies picking up five or more nominations - including low-budget independent film Little Miss Sunshine and comedy The Devil Wears Prada. Dame Judi Dench, also nominated in the category for Notes on a Scandal, said: "There's no chance of me winning this evening - I'm a betting woman so I'll put money on Helen."
BBC film critic Mark Kermode said this year was "a very open field". The other nominees are Penelope Cruz, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet.
However, spoof documentary Borat failed to receive any nominations, despite being widely tipped for Bafta success. This year sees several movies picking up five or more nominations - including low-budget independent film Little Miss Sunshine and comedy The Devil Wears Prada.
The Queen, about the aftermath of Princess Diana's death, is up for best film alongside The Departed, The Last King of Scotland, Little Miss Sunshine and Babel. BBC film critic Mark Kermode said it was "a very open field".
In the best actress category, Dame Helen, 61, goes up against Dame Judi Dench, who is nominated for the forthcoming drama Notes on a Scandal. The 10-year-old star of Little Miss Sunshine, Abigail Breslin, said: "I am so excited to be here - I have never been to London before, so I went to see Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London and Big Ben."
Other nominees are Penelope Cruz, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet. Breslin and her co-star Toni Colette are both nominated in the best supporting actress category.
Colette said about the film: "It was an amazing group of very relaxed, talented folk - it was fantastic."
Best actor battleBest actor battle
Daniel Craig is one of three British actors named in the best actor nominees, alongside Richard Griffiths and Peter O'Toole. Craig is one of three British stars among the best actor nominees, alongside Richard Griffiths for The History Boys and Peter O'Toole for Venus.
Forest Whitaker is nominated for his portrayal of dictator Idi Amin
Other nominated actors are Leonardo DiCaprio for the mob drama The Departed and Forest Whitaker for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.Other nominated actors are Leonardo DiCaprio for the mob drama The Departed and Forest Whitaker for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.
As well as nine nominations in the main awards, Casino Royale gets an extra nod for Bond girl Eva Green in the rising star category.As well as nine nominations in the main awards, Casino Royale gets an extra nod for Bond girl Eva Green in the rising star category.
"It's great it's done as well as it has," said Kermode of the Bond blockbuster."It's great it's done as well as it has," said Kermode of the Bond blockbuster.
"You just don't get nominated for best actor for playing Bond," he added. "It is one of those roles that is generally thought of as not an actorly pursuit. Forest Whitaker is nominated for his portrayal of dictator Idi Amin"You just don't get nominated for best actor for playing Bond," he added. "It is one of those roles that is generally thought of as not an actorly pursuit.
"What Daniel Craig has done is demonstrate that you can play that role in a really thespian manner.""What Daniel Craig has done is demonstrate that you can play that role in a really thespian manner."
Kermode was also pleased to see Bafta recognise Pan's Labyrinth, which he called his favourite film of last year.Kermode was also pleased to see Bafta recognise Pan's Labyrinth, which he called his favourite film of last year.
"Eight nominations for a foreign language, fantasy film that struggles to find its place in the market - it's fantastic.""Eight nominations for a foreign language, fantasy film that struggles to find its place in the market - it's fantastic."
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is celebrating its 60th anniversary, after handing out its first prize for achievement in film in 1947.The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is celebrating its 60th anniversary, after handing out its first prize for achievement in film in 1947.
The awards have grown in prominence since 2001, when the ceremony was rescheduled to take place before the Oscars.The awards have grown in prominence since 2001, when the ceremony was rescheduled to take place before the Oscars.
It is now seen as one of the most important events in the international film calendar and has attracted Hollywood stars like George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio and Nicole Kidman in recent years. BBC presenter Jonathan Ross hosts the event for the first time, after a six-year stint by the actor and writer Stephen Fry.
Last year, Western romance Brokeback Mountain emerged as the big winner, taking home four awards including best film and best director for Ang Lee.Last year, Western romance Brokeback Mountain emerged as the big winner, taking home four awards including best film and best director for Ang Lee.