BAFTA nominations announced: Carol and Bridge of Spies lead

Steven Spielberg’s spy thriller Bridge of Spies starring Tom Hanks and Todd Haynes’ lesbian drama Carol starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara led nominations on Friday for Britain’s Bafta film awards, seen as a predictive precursor to the Oscars.

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. 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.

Read: Golden Globe nominations announced: Big movies shown big love

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.

Watch the trailer for Room here

Vikander’s fellow star in The Danish Girl, British actor Eddie Redmayne, who plays a transgender artist, is nominated for best actor for the same film. It is 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.

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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, Spielberg is up against Mexico’s Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Britain’s Ridley Scott, and US directors Adam McKay and Todd Haynes.

Read: Mad Max: Fury Road leads Critic’s Choice Awards nominations

The main nominations:

Best film

The Big ShortBridge of SpiesCarolThe RevenantSpotlight

Outstanding British film

45 YearsAmyBrooklynThe Danish GirlEx Machina

Best director

Adam McKay for The Big ShortSteven Spielberg for Bridge of SpiesTodd Haynes for CarolRidley Scott for The MartianAlejandro Gonzalez Inarritu for The Revenant

Leading actor

Bryan Cranston for TrumboMatt Damon for The MartianLeonardo DiCaprio for The RevenantMichael Fassbender for Steve JobsEddie Redmaybe for The Danish Girl

Leading actress

Cate Blanchett for CarolBrie Larson for RoomSaoirse Ronan for BrooklynMaggie Smith for The Lady in the VanAlicia Vikander for The Danish Girl

Supporting actor

Christian Bale for The Big ShortBenicio del Toro for SicarioIdris Elba for Beasts of No NationMark Ruffalo for SpotlightMark Rylance for Bridge of Spies

Supporting actress

Jennifer Jason Leigh for The Hateful EightRooney Mara for CarolAlicia Vikander for Ex MachinaJulie Walters for BrooklynKate Winslet for Steve Jobs