Evening Standard British Film Awards - the contenders

Clash of the generations as Emily and Saoirse take on grandes dames of the movie screen
London Evening Standard British Film Awards contenders: From left to right is Saoirse Ronan, Emily Blunt, Dame Maggie Smith and Charlotte Rampling
Robert Dex @RobDexES14 January 2016

Young challengers Saoirse Ronan and Emily Blunt will go head to head with established stars Charlotte Rampling and Dame Maggie Smith in a battle to be named best actress at this year’s Evening Standard British Film Awards.

Rampling, 69, is recognised for her performance in 45 Years, while 81-year-old Dame Maggie’s title role in The Lady In The Van sees her shortlisted with Ronan, 21, and Blunt, 32. They are recognised for their performances in Brooklyn and Sicario respectively.

Michael Fassbender is in the running to be named best actor after he was acclaimed for his performances in both Macbeth and Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs biopic. But he faces competition from Tom Courtenay, Rampling’s co-star in 45 Years, about a couple whose marriage is threatened by a revelation from their past. Meanwhile Idris Elba is shortlisted for child-soldier drama Beasts Of No Nation.

The best film category — in partnership with Television Centre — sees another nod for 45 Years, alongside Brooklyn, High-Rise, and The Lobster, whose stars Olivia Colman and Colin Farrell compete for the comedy award alongside Emma Thompson for The Legend Of Barney Thomson, and the director and writers of Shakespeare movie Bill — Richard Bracewell, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond. Amy, about the life and death of singer Amy Winehouse, is shortlisted for best documentary, while Nick Hornby’s work on Brooklyn sees him up for best screenplay. Agyness Deyn’s performance in Sunset Song earns her a nod for the rising star award, with Maisie Williams of Game Of Thrones.

Readers can cast their vote for blockbuster of the year with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Fifty Shades Of Grey and Spectre among the top 10 biggest box-office hits in contention. Voting is open until midnight on January 31 at standard.co.uk/blockbuster2015. The awards, set up in 1973, have a history of recognising talent early, with Chiwetel Ejiofor named best actor for his 2002 role in Dirty Pretty Things. Other past winners include Daniel Day-Lewis, John Hurt, Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet.

Evening Standard Editor Sarah Sands said: “The talent in this year’s shortlist is exceptional and we are pleased to be shining a light on Britain’s outstanding creativity by celebrating the British film industry at the Evening Standard British Film Awards.”

The event is returning after a three-year break, with a ceremony at the former BBC Television Centre in White City on February 7.

Evening Standard British Film Awards - the contenders

BEST FILM
in partnership with television centre

  • Brooklyn
  • 45 Years 
  • High-Rise
  • The Lobster 

BEST ACTOR

  • Tom Courtenay (45 Years)
  • Idris Elba (Beasts Of No Nation)
  • Michael Fassbender (Macbeth/Steve Jobs)

BEST ACTRESS

  • Emily Blunt (Sicario)
  • Charlotte Rampling (45 Years)
  • Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn)
  • Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van)

BLOCKBUSTER OF THE YEAR

  • Avengers: Age Of Ultron 
  • Fifty Shades Of Grey
  • Furious 7 
  • Inside Out 
  • Jurassic World 
  • Home 
  • Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 
  • Minions 
  • Spectre 
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens

BEST SCREENPLAY

  • Emma Donoghue (Room)
  • Nick Hornby (Brooklyn)
  • Carol Morley (The Falling)

RISING STAR

  • Tom Browne (director, Radiator)
  • Jake Davies (X+Y)
  • Agyness Deyn (Sunset Song)
  • Maisie Williams (The Falling)

AWARD FOR COMEDY
(Film or performance)

  • Bill (director Richard Bracewell, writers Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond)
  • Olivia Colman (The Lobster)
  • Colin Farrell (The Lobster)
  • Emma Thompson (The Legend of Barney Thomson)

TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • Roger Deakins, cinematographer of Sicario
  • Mark Digby, production designer of Ex Machina
  • Michael McDonough, cinematographer of Sunset Song
  • Mark Tildesley, production designer of High-Rise

BEST DOCUMENTARY

  • Amy
  • My Nazi Legacy
  • Palio

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