London:
Steven Spielberg spy thriller
Bridge of Spies and the story of romance between two women
Carol led nominations on Friday for Britain's British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), seen as a tip for later Oscar success. (Also Read:
He Named Me Malala Scores a BAFTA Nomination)
Both Cold War era stories set in the United States in the 1950s, the films have nine nominations each and are both nominated in the best film category. (Also Read:
Full List of Nominations)
They are up against financial drama
The Big Short and survival tale
The Revenant, which has eight nominations.
Also in the running for best film is
Spotlight -- the story of the journalists who uncovered sexual abuse in the Catholic Church which led nominations of the Golden Globes along with
Carol.
The awards will be announced on February 14, two weeks before the Oscars.
Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, 21, is nominated for best actress for her performance in
Brooklyn, the story of an Irish immigrant to New York which has six nominations.
The other nominees for best actress are Cate Blanchett for
Carol, Brie Larson for
Room, Maggie Smith for
The Lady in the Van and Alicia Vikander for
The Danish Girl -- who is also up for best supporting actress for her role in thriller
Ex Machina.
Vikander's fellow star in
The Danish Girl, British actor Eddie Redmayne, who plays a transgender artist, has been nominated for best actor for the same film.
It is Eddie Redmayne's second best actor nomination in a row after winning the award last year for portraying scientist Stephen Hawking in
The Theory of Everything.
Eddie Redmayne will be up against Leonardo DiCaprio for
The Revenant, Michael Fassbender for
Steve Jobs, Matt Damon for
The Martian and
Trumbo star Bryan Cranston -- known for his leading role in television hit
Breaking Bad.
In the best director category, Steven Spielberg is up against Mexico's Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Britain's Ridley Scott, and US directors Adam McKay and Todd Haynes.
The main nominations:Best filmThe Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Carol
The Revenant
SpotlightOutstanding British film45 Years
Amy
Brooklyn
The Danish Girl
Ex MachinaBest DirectorAdam McKay for
The Big ShortSteven Spielberg for
Bridge of SpiesTodd Haynes for
CarolRidley Scott for
The MartianAlejandro Gonzalez Inarritu for
The RevenantLeading ActorBryan Cranston for
TrumboMatt Damon for
The MartianLeonardo DiCaprio for
The RevenantMichael Fassbender for
Steve JobsEddie Redmaybe for
The Danish GirlLeading ActressCate Blanchett for
CarolBrie Larson for
RoomSaoirse Ronan for
BrooklynMaggie Smith for
The Lady in the VanAlicia Vikander for
The Danish GirlSupporting ActorChristian Bale for
The Big ShortBenicio del Toro for
SicarioIdris Elba for
Beasts of No NationMark Ruffalo for
SpotlightMark Rylance for
Bridge of SpiesSupporting ActressJennifer Jason Leigh for
The Hateful EightRooney Mara for
CarolAlicia Vikander for
Ex MachinaJulie Walters for
BrooklynKate Winslet for
Steve Jobs