BAFTA award nominations

DIRECTOR James Cameron’s 3D fantasy film Avatar tied with British drama An Education and Iraq war movie The Hurt Locker with eight nominations each yesterday at the BAFTAs, Britain’s main film awards.

They were closely followed by extra-terrestrial film District 9 with seven nominations. Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds starring Brad Pitt and Up in the Air with George Clooney each received six nominations, organisers said.

Avatar, whose 3D effects have wowed critics and fans and helped it earn $1.6 billion (€1.13bn) at global box offices, claimed best film, cinematography, editing, music, production design, sound and special visual effects nominations. Cameron, whose Titanic is the world’s highest- grossing film, was nominated for director.

Coco Before Chanel, Nowhere Boy, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire and animated film Up also received four nominations apiece.

The awards are screened on February 28.