Winslet, Aviator Soar in BAFTA Race

By Stephen M. Silverman

Originally posted Monday January 17, 2005 09:00 AM EST

Kate Winslet Photo by: TSUNI / GAMMA

The Golden Globes barely finished their afterparties when more awards news came from overseas: The British Academy Film Awards organizers have announced their nominees, with Kate Winslet vying against herself as best actress for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Finding Neverland.

But it was Martin Scorsese's blockbuster Howard Hughes epic The Aviator, named best drama at the Globes, that topped the BAFTA list with 14 nominations, including those for leading man (and Globe winner) Leonardo DiCaprio and for director Martin Scorsese.

Vera Drake, Mike Leigh's moving portrayal of a back-street abortionist in 1950s London, earned 11 nominations, including one for its star Imelda Staunton.

Finding Neverland, the story of J.M. Barrie's inspiration for Peter Pan, also earned 11 nods, including one for its leading man, Johnny Depp – who will be up against DiCaprio; Golden Globe winner (musical) Jamie Foxx for Ray; Jim Carrey for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; and Gael Garcia Bernal for The Motorcycle Diaries.

Winslet's rivals, besides Staunton, will be last year's Oscar winner Charlize Theron (Monster, which opened in the U.K. this year) and Ziyi Zhang (House of Flying Daggers).

The BAFTA prizes will be presented Feb. 12. Oscar nominations are due Jan. 25, and the ceremony itself will take place Feb. 27.