Bafta Predictions

by Helen Earnshaw | 6 February 2009

Slumdog Millionaire

Right, so America has been having all the fun in recent weeks with the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards but now it's the turn of the UK to bask in the movie spotlight as the Baftas come to town a on Sunday.

So Femalefirst predicts who is going to win what, I have a sneaky suspicion that British talent and movies are going to do quite well.

Unlike other awards there are two separate categories at the Baftas that looks at the movies of 2008/09 Best Film and Outstanding British Film, putting Brit movies in the spotlight. Slumdog Millionaire has been the toast of the film industry of late and I wouldn't be surprised if it does the double.

However don't be surprised if Hunger, which is directed by Steve McQueen, scoops Outstanding British Film.

Despite facing tough competition from the likes of David Fincher, Ron Howard, Clint Eastwood and Stephen Daldry Danny Boyle is an almost certainty to pick up the Best Director gong.

The Best Actor category is a two horse race at the Oscars between Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn and although Penn has collected the most awards for his performance in Milk Rourke will scoop the Bafta.

Following in the footsteps of the London Film Critics Circle Awards the Best Actress gong will go to Kate WInslet for her role in The Reader, however last time she had two nominations in the same category she went home empty handed.

There will be more posthumous success for Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight and he will scoop Best Supporting Actor while Penelope Cruz will take Best Supporting Actress.

There should be more success for Hunger with Steve McQueen picking up the Carl Forman Award and the film's leading man Michael Fassbender winning the Orange Rising Star Award.

Wall-E should continue it's march to the animation Oscar by picking up the Best Animation gong while the critically acclaimed Waltz with Bashir should scoop best Foreign Language Film.

With Slumdog Millionaire featuring heavily in the technical awards Sunday night looks like it might be a good night for British film.

Full list of predictions:

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Outstanding British Film: Slumdog Millionaire

Best Director: Danny Boyle

Best Actor: Mickey Rourke

Best Actress: Kate Winslet

Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger

Original Screenplay: In Bruges - Martin McDonagh

Adapted Screenplay: Slumdog Millionaire - Simon Beaufoy

Foreign Language Film: Waltz With Bashir - Ari Folman