The Queen does battle royal with revitalised 007 for British film honours

Published on Sunday 11 February 2007 00:18

THE showbiz world is holding its breath for Britain's biggest film awards being held tonight.

The Orange British Academy Film Awards, traditionally seen as an indication of the Oscars, will have The Queen taking on a revitalised 007.

The Queen the story of the Royal Family in the aftermath of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, has 10 nominations, while Casino Royale, the 21st film in the Bond franchise, has nine.

Dame Helen Mirren, 61, is favourite to land the best actress title for her portrayal of the monarch.

The star has already won a string of awards for the role and is up for an Oscar.

Her strongest competition is Dame Judi Dench, 72, for her part as a lonely but twisted history teacher in Notes On A Scandal.

Also up for the award are Penelope Cruz for Pedro Almodovar's Volver, Meryl Streep for The Devil Wears Prada and Kate Winslet for Little Children.

Daniel Craig, 38, who won over critics and fans in his role as 007 after criticism when he was announced as the new Bond, is up for the best actor title.

He faces competition from Peter O'Toole for Venus, Forest Whitaker for his acclaimed performance as Idi Amin in British movie The Last King Of Scotland, Leonardo DiCaprio in The Departed and Richard Griffiths for The History Boys.

In the best film title, The Queen is up against The Last King Of Scotland, which is based on the novel by Giles Foden and was directed by Scot Kevin Macdonald.

Ensemble piece Babel, Martin Scorsese's film The Departed and black comedy Little Miss Sunshine are also in the running.

United 93 - the true story of the United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001 - is up for outstanding British film of the year. Other contenders for the title are Casino Royale, The Last King Of Scotland, Notes On A Scandal and The Queen.

Nominees confirmed to grace the red - and usually wet - carpet include Winslet, Cruz, Dame Judi, Dame Helen, Craig, Emily Blunt and Leslie Phillips.

Other stars expected include Sienna Miller, Bond beauty Eva Green, Emily Watson, Sir Ian McKellen, Thandie Newton, Ricky Gervais, Michael Sheen and Jamie Bell.

Jonathan Ross is the new host of the ceremony at London's Royal Opera House, taking over from Stephen Fry, who stepped down from the role after six years.

• Tonight a party is taking place at the Natural History Museum in honour of this year's British Academy Film Awards nominees.

It was originally sponsored by Burberry, but the designer label pulled out over anger about its decision to close its Welsh plant. Workers from the plant had threatened to protest outside the reception, now being sponsored by media giant Sky.