The film Dunesby Denis Villeneuve and the dark western by Jane Campion The Power of the Dog are at the top of the nominations for the BAFTAs, the British film awards, announced on Thursday, and which will be awarded on March 13 in London.
Dunesadaptation of the science fiction novel by Frank Herbert, amassed eleven nominations, including those for original music, casting, and best picture.
The Power of the Dog was nominated in eight categories including Best Director and Best Picture. Benedict Cumberbatch, who stars in the lead role, and his co-stars Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee are all nominated.
Also among the Best Supporting Actor nominees is Mike Faist, who plays the Jets frontman in West Side StoryCiaran Hinds for his role as “Pop” in BelfastTroy Kotsur for CODA and Woody Norman, 11, for C’mon C’monmaking him the youngest nominee this year.
Hollywood star Will Smith is competing in the best lead actor category for The Williams Method, in which he plays the father of tennis champions Serena and Venus Williams. He competes with Mahershala Ali for Swan SongAdeel Akhtar for Ali & Ava, Leonardo DiCaprio for Don’t Look UpStephen Graham for Boiling Point and Benedict Cumberbatch.
On the best actress side, Lady Gaga competes for House Of Gucci, Alana Haim for Licorice PizzaEmilia Jones for CODARenate Reinsve for Julie (in twelve chapters)Joanna Scanlan for After Love and Tessa Thompson for Chiaroscuro.
Absent noticed, Kristen Stewart whose interpretation of Lady Di in spencer was not retained.
The film Belfast, inspired by Kenneth Brannagh’s childhood in the heart of the Northern Irish violence of the late 1960s, has six nominations including that of best film, but the Briton does not appear in the director category.
This last category includes as many women as men, including the Frenchwoman Julia Ducournau for Titanium.
Less than a third of actor nominations went to non-white performers — down sharply from a record two-thirds last year, but still above historical averages.
The awards will be presented at a ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London.