Atonement Leads BAFTA's Long Lists

"Atonement" can put up high hope for huge nominations as it took clear lead in the long lists for British Academy Film Awards. According to Variety, the drama film has received 17 entries from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography.

Under the long lists, the Joe Wright's film will have to be up against 14 other nominees in each category since only five will be chosen to be official nominees for the BAFTA Awards. In the category of Best Picture, it faces "American Gangster", "Charlie Wilson's War", "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly", "Eastern Promises", "Into the Wild", "Juno", "Michael Clayton", "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood".

Aside from managing to put entry for the Best Picture, "Atonement" also may see its actor and actress James McAvoy and Keira Knightley in the Best Actor and Actress nominations respectively. Still, the two might have to challenge strong competitors for the spot. McAvoy will be up against Daniel Day-Lewis, Denzel Washington, Emile Hirsch, George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Russell Crowe, Tom Hanks and Viggo Mortensen, while Knightley faces Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Ellen Page, Julie Christie, Nikki Blonsky and Marion Cotillard.

The voting for the five nominees will be closed on January 14, 2008 and the nominations are expected to be announced on January 16. Meanwhile, the ceremony for the 2008 BAFTA Awards will be held on February 10 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London.