BAFTA nominations 2016: Carol and Bridge of Spies sweep the board with NINE nods each
BRIDGE OF SPIES and Carol have taken the lead with an impressive nine nods at this year's EE British Academy Film Awards.
Bridge of Spies and Carol go head-to-head leading with nine BAFTA nominations
Steven Spielberg's tense thriller, Bridge of Spies and Todd Haynes' touching love story have swept the board with the most nominations.
The former, which tells the true story of an American lawyer (Tom Hanks) recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy, is in the running for Best Film, Director, Original Screenplay, Original Music, Cinematography, Editing, Production Design and Sound.
Plus, Mark Rylance's shrewd portrayal of Soviet intelligence officer Rudolf Abel has been recognised in the Supporting Actor category, alongside contenders Benicio del Toro, Mark Ruffalo, Christian Bale and Idris Elba.
Meanwhile, period drama Carol has picked up nods for Best Film, Director, Leading Actress, Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design and Make Up and Hair.
Carol's Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) is nominated for Supporting Actress
CAROL - Official International Trailer
Mark Rylance has bagged a nod for Supporting Actor in Bridge of Spies
Cate Blanchett faces stiff competition in the race for Leading Actress against Brie Larson for Room, Saoirse Ronan for Brooklyn, Maggie Smith for The Lady in the Van as well as Alicia Vikander for The Danish Girl.
Boasting eight BAFTA nominations is The Revenant, with Birdman director Alejandro González Iñárritu at the helm, and Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead.
Not far behind is George Miller's post-apocalyptic thrill-ride Mad Max: Fury Road, starring Tom Hardy, which has snapped up seven nods.
The Martian and Brooklyn have been put forward in six categories and The Big Short, The Danish Girl and Ex Machina have received five nominations.
Bridge of Spies Official Trailer 2015
The Revenant from Bridman's Alejandro González Iñárritu has eight nominations
Mad Max: Fury Road has been put forward in seven categories including Special Visual Effects
J.J. Abrams' Box Office smash Star Wars: The Force Awakens could also win potential accolades for Production Design, Sound, Original Music and Special Visual Effects.
The full list of nominees can be viewed on the BAFTA website here.
The BAFTA winners will be announced on 14 February.
Ridley Scott's The Martian, starring Matt Damon, has six BAFTA nods