Avatar leads Bafta nods

James Cameron is up against his ex-wife’s ‘The Hurt Locker’...

11:22 21 January 2010

James Cameron's massively successful 3D sci-fi film 'Avatar' is leading this year's Bafta nominations, alongside his ex-wife's Iraq war drama 'The Hurt Locker' and Brit film 'An Education', all with eight nods each.

Another sci-fi movie is a front runner - 'District 9' has racked up seven nominations. Meanwhile Quentin Tarantino's Nazi revenge black comedy thriller 'Inglourious Basterds' and the George Clooney starring 'Up in the Air' have six nominations apiece.

'Coco Before Chanel', 'Nowhere Boy', 'Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire' and 'Up' each received four nominations at the Orange British Academy Film Awards.

'Avatar' received nominations for Best Film, while James Cameron is being recognised in the Best Director category. His last feature film was 'Titanic' which saw him nominated for three categories at the 1998 Bafta ceremony.

The other Best Film nominees are 'An Education', 'The Hurt Locker', 'Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire' and 'Up In The Air'.

The Leading Actor category consists of George Clooney, Colin Firth for 'A Single Man', Andy Serkis for 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll', Jeremy Renner for 'The Hurt Locker' and Jeff Bridges for 'Crazy Heart'.

Bridges recently took home the Golden Globe following a standing ovation for his role as washed up country singer Bad Blake in 'Crazy Heart'.  

The Leading Actress category consists of Carey Mulligan for 'An Education', Saoirse Ronan for 'The Lovely Bones', Gabourey Sidibe for 'Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire', Meryl Streep for 'Julie and Julia' and Audrey Tautou for 'Coco Before Chanel'.

The Bafta awards will be handed out in London on Sunday, February 21.