A British Academy of Film and Television award is polished
© AFP Shaun Curry

LONDON (AFP) - The US writers' strike reduced the Golden Globes, traditionally the second biggest film awards after the Oscars, to a mere news conference, boosting the BAFTAs' importance.

Daniel Day-Lewis and Julie Christie are tipped to extend their collection of awards in the leading actor categories.

"Atonement", the film adaptation of Ian McEwan's award-winning novel about life and love in World War II, leads the way with 14 nominations.

The romantic drama is up for the best film and best British film gongs, with Keira Knightley and James McAvoy also up for best actress and actor.

Joe Wright is nominated for best director while Saoirse Ronan has a best supporting actress nomination.

Elsewhere, Joel and Ethan Coen's bleak "No Country for Old Men", and Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood", starring Day-Lewis as a ruthless oil baron, each have nine nominations.

"La Vie en Rose", about the life of legendary French singer Edith Piaf, has seven, including a best actress nomination for Marion Cotillard.

"The Bourne Ultimatum", the third in the action series starring Matt Damon, has six nominations, with "American Gangster", "The Lives of Others" and "Michael Clayton" getting five each.

Screen icon Christie also features for her acclaimed performance as an Alzheimer's sufferer in "Away from Her".

The British Academy Film and Television Arts awards -- which normally play second fiddle to the Golden Globes -- could be seen as one of the film industry's main events of the year due to the industrial action by screenwriters in the United States.

Striking Hollywood screenwriters said Saturday they had agreed a deal to settle their three-month old dispute and could be back at work next week if it meets with union members' approval.

The strike severely disrupted Hollywood's annual awards season, leading to the cancellation of the Golden Globes awards after actors vowed to boycott the event, and casting a shadow over preparations for the February 24 Oscars.

The BAFTA awards ceremony takes place at the Royal Opera House in central London.

Nominees:

-- Best film:

"American Gangster"

"Atonement"

"The Lives of Others"

"No Country for Old Men"

"There Will Be Blood"

-- Best director:

Joe Wright -- "Atonement"

Paul Greengrass -- "The Bourne Ultimatum"

Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck -- "The Lives of Others"

Joel Coen/Ethan Coen -- "No Country For Old Men"

Paul Thomas Anderson -- "There Will Be Blood"

-- Best leading actor:

George Clooney -- "Michael Clayton"

Daniel Day-Lewis -- "There Will Be Blood"

James McAvoy -- "Atonement"

Viggo Mortensen -- "Eastern Promises"

Ulrich Muhe -- "The Lives of Others"

-- Best leading actress:

Cate Blanchett -- "Elizabeth: The Golden Age"

Julie Christie -- "Away From Her"

Marion Cotillard -- "La Vie en Rose"

Keira Knightley -- "Atonement"

Ellen Page -- "Juno"

©AFP