"Conclave" and "Emilia Perez" top the list of films vying for recognition at the British BAFTAs as the race for the Oscars gains momentum.
"Conclave," a fictional account of high-stakes trading in the Vatican after the pope's death, received 12 nominations, and the surreal musical drug thriller "Emilia Perez" followed it with 11.
The two films will compete for the coveted best film prize at next month's ceremony, AFP reports.
The epic immigrant drama "The Brutalist," which received nine nominations including best picture, "Wicked" (seven) and "Dune: Part Two" (seven) were the other main contenders.
The unexpected hit "Kneecap," a documentary about three Belfast youths who rap in Irish, grabbed six nominations, including for original screenplay and outstanding British film.
French director Jacques Audiard's "Emilia Perez" and "The Brutalist," both shot in Mexico, were big winners at the Golden Globe Awards earlier this month. Both films are serious contenders for the top prizes at the Oscars on March 2.
However, this year's awards season is considered extremely unpredictable.
International films are considered potential big winners in Hollywood and at the BAFTAs, the most important event of the annual British film calendar, which takes place two weeks earlier.
Scottish actor David Tennant is to host the ceremony, which takes place on 16 February at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Cannes favourite "Anorra" and the Bob Dylan biopic " A Complete Unknown" will also compete for the BAFTA for best film in the British capital.
Meanwhile, the directing award pits Audiard against Edward Berger ("Conclave"), Sean Baker ("Anora"), Brady Corbett ("The Brutalist"), Denis Villeneuve ("Dune: Part Two") and Coralie Farjoa ("The Substance").
Carla Sofia Gascon, the transgender star of "Emilia Perez," will compete for Best Actress recognition with Cynthia Erivo ("Wicked"), Marianne Jean-Baptiste ("Hard Truths"), Mikey Madison ("Anora"), Demi Moore ("The Substance") and Sersha Ronan ("The Outrun").
Vying for the male lead award will be Adrian Brody ("The Brutalist"), Ralph Fiennes ("Conclave"), Timothy Chalamet ("Total Stranger"), Coleman Domingo ("Sing Sing"), Hugh Grant ("Heretic") and Sebastian Stan ("The Apprentice"). | BGNES
