FILM WORLD AWAITS BAFTA CEREMONY!

A host of celebrities are expected to grace the red carpet at this year's Bafta awards, to be held later at London's Royal Opera House.

The ceremony holds a greater significance following the cancellation of the Golden Globes and uncertainty over whether the Oscars will go ahead. Oscar favourites Daniel Day-Lewis and Julie Christie are among the nominees expected to attend the event. Jonathan Ross will host the ceremony, broadcast on BBC One at 2100 GMT.

British drama Atonement leads the field with 14 nominations, which include acting nods for stars Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. Thriller No Country for Old Men and oil prospecting drama There Will Be Blood are up for nine awards apiece, while Edith Piaf biopic La Vie en Rose is shortlisted in seven categories.

Minogue was among the guests at Saturday's pre-awards party. Cuba Gooding Jr, Harvey Keitel, Jeff Goldblum and Kevin Spacey are among the Hollywood stars who have been lined up to present awards. Eddie Izzard, Ricky Gervais, Thandie Newton and Sir Ian McKellen are among the British talents doing the honours.

The Bafta Film Awards have grown in prominence since the decision was made in 2002 to move the ceremony before the Oscars. Nominees and other celebrities were out in force at a pre-awards party held in central London on Saturday. Pop stars Kylie Minogue, Lily Allen and Bob Geldof were also present, alongside actor Hugh Grant, Keira Knightley and broadcaster Mariella Frostrup.

BBC NEWS REPORT.