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American Beauty tops Bafta shortlist
Success story: Actress Mena Suvari in American Beauty
Oscar hopeful American Beauty has swept the board at the British Academy Film Awards nominations, with 14 mentions in 13 categories.
The dark satire on life in US suburbia starring Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening is already shortlisted for eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
The dark satire on life in US suburbia starring Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening is already shortlisted for eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
 Debut director: Sam Mendes
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American Beauty is the cinematic directing debut for Briton Sam Mendes, who made his name in London's West End directing stage hits including The Blue Room and the original version of The Rise And Fall of Little Voice.
The film's Bafta nominations include best director for Mendes, best film and best screenplay, while stars Spacey and Bening feature in the best actor and actress categories. Both Thora Birch and Mena Suvari are shortlisted for best supporting actress.
Neil Jordan's The End of the Affair, starring Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore, was not far behind American Beauty in the Bafta shortlist stakes, pulling in 10 nominations, including best film and best director.
The film's Bafta nominations include best director for Mendes, best film and best screenplay, while stars Spacey and Bening feature in the best actor and actress categories. Both Thora Birch and Mena Suvari are shortlisted for best supporting actress.
Neil Jordan's The End of the Affair, starring Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore, was not far behind American Beauty in the Bafta shortlist stakes, pulling in 10 nominations, including best film and best director.
 The End of the Affair's stars: Julianne Moore and Ralph Fiennes
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Briton Anthony Minghella's The Talented Mr Ripley also figured strongly with seven nominations.
Other British Oscar nominees in the running for Baftas include Michael Caine for The Cider House Rules and The Talented Mr Ripley star Jude Law.
Twice Oscar-nominated Emily Watson, who missed out on this year's short-list, was named in the best actress category for her performance in Angela's Ashes.
Screen and stage veteran Dame Maggie Smith was nominated as best supporting actress for Tea with Mussolini.
Hollywood blockbuster The Sixth Sense, which picked up a raft of Oscar nominations, was nominated for four awards, including best film, best director and best original screenplay.
Homegrown success
British-made movie East is East was nominated for six awards, including best film, outstanding British film of the year and best adapted screenplay.
Other British Oscar nominees in the running for Baftas include Michael Caine for The Cider House Rules and The Talented Mr Ripley star Jude Law.
Twice Oscar-nominated Emily Watson, who missed out on this year's short-list, was named in the best actress category for her performance in Angela's Ashes.
Screen and stage veteran Dame Maggie Smith was nominated as best supporting actress for Tea with Mussolini.
Hollywood blockbuster The Sixth Sense, which picked up a raft of Oscar nominations, was nominated for four awards, including best film, best director and best original screenplay.
Homegrown success
British-made movie East is East was nominated for six awards, including best film, outstanding British film of the year and best adapted screenplay.
 East is East stars Linda Bassett and Om Puri
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Its stars, Linda Bassett and Om Puri, were named in the leading actor
categories.
Director Mike Leigh's critically-acclaimed Gilbert and Sullivan biopic Topsy Turvy, was also nominated for five awards, but missed out in the prestigious best film and best director categories.
Its nominations included best original screenplay, best actor for star Jim Broadbent, and best supporting actor for Timothy Spall.
The most successful British film of all time, Notting Hill, was the biggest loser - only winning two nominations - one for Welsh star Rhys Ifans in the best supporting actor category and another for the outstanding British film of the year.
British actress Joely Richardson announced the nominees at Bafta's headquarters in Piccadilly, London.
The winners of the British Academy Film Awards will be announced at a star-studded bash at the Odeon, Leicester Square, on 9 April - the venue for the first ceremony in 1949.
Director Mike Leigh's critically-acclaimed Gilbert and Sullivan biopic Topsy Turvy, was also nominated for five awards, but missed out in the prestigious best film and best director categories.
Its nominations included best original screenplay, best actor for star Jim Broadbent, and best supporting actor for Timothy Spall.
The most successful British film of all time, Notting Hill, was the biggest loser - only winning two nominations - one for Welsh star Rhys Ifans in the best supporting actor category and another for the outstanding British film of the year.
British actress Joely Richardson announced the nominees at Bafta's headquarters in Piccadilly, London.
The winners of the British Academy Film Awards will be announced at a star-studded bash at the Odeon, Leicester Square, on 9 April - the venue for the first ceremony in 1949.
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