Irish stars top nominations for British film awards

Irish film stars Colin Farrell, Michael Fassbender, Saoirse Ronan, and father-son duo Brendan and Domhnall Gleeson have each received nominations at the Moet British Independent Film Awards.

Farrell has been nominated for best actor for his role in The Lobster.

Olivia Coleman and Spectre’s Ben Whishaw are nominated for their supporting roles in the sci-fi film in which singletons have 45 days to find a partner.

The film tops the nominations list, competing in a total of seven categories — also including best British independent film, best director, best screenplay, and producer of the year.

The film 45 Years, starring first-time nominees Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay as a couple whose marriage is shaken by the death of the husband’s first love, competes for six awards alongside Justin Kurzel’s gory retelling of Macbeth.

Michael Fassbender’s titular role as the Scottish lord sees him up against Farrell, Courtenay, Tom Hardy — for his dual portrayal of the Kray twins in Legend — and Tom Hiddleston in High-Rise for the best actor gong.

For their roles in @45YearsFilm, @LobsterFilm, @Macbeth_Movie, @HighRise_movie & @LegendFilmUK. Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/lebCP2qZq0

— BIFA (@BIFA_film) November 3, 2015

In the best actress category, Suffragette’s Carey Mulligan contends with Rampling, Saoirse Ronan as a young Irish immigrant in Brooklyn, Alicia Vikander as the wife of the first ever recipient of gender reassignment surgery in The Danish Girl, and Marion Cotillard as the fearsome Lady Macbeth.

Asif Kapadia’s Amy Winehouse documentary, Amy, has five nods for director, documentary, producer of the year, editing, and for best British independent film.

Completing the line up for the latter category is Alex Garland’s Ex Machina — also nominated for best director, screenplay, design production and visual effects.

The Nick Hornby-penned Brooklyn also received five nominations.

Twenty-eight British feature films appear on the shortlist.

Up for best supporting actress are Helena Bonham Carter and Anne-Marie Duff for Suffragette, Sienna Miller for High-Rise, and Julie Walters for Brooklyn.

Rounding off the major categories is best supporting actor which sees Brendan Gleeson nominated for Suffragette and Domhnall for Brooklyn, Luke Evans for High-Rise, and Sean Harris for Macbeth.

Winners will be named on December 6 at Old Billingsgate, where Kate Winslet will receive her previously announced Variety Award.