BAFTAs steal a march on Oscars

Jamie Bell is up for a BAFTA award for his role as an aspiring ballet dancer in the film Billy Elliot

LONDON, England -- The British Academy Film Awards has made a direct challenge to its U.S. rival, the Oscars, by shifting the date of its gala evening.

The organisers of the BAFTAs, which have been running for 54 years, moved the date of the gala evening from two weeks after the Oscars to a month before in a bid to boost the awards' international standing.

The switch to February 25 is expected to attract more nominees and film stars as well as tap into the build-up to tinseltown's big event, to be held on March 25.

VIDEO Amanda Berry, CEO of BAFTA tell's Becky Anderson why the increasingly popular awards are now being held before the Oscars.   Real   28K   80K   Windows   28K   80K     RESOURCES BAFTA nominations     ALSO Oscar nominations

Amanda Berry, chief executive of BAFTA, told CNN: "It is absolutely the right time to move.

"I think everybody saw the event and wanted to support it. They wanted to attend, but if they questioned why it was at least two weeks after the Oscars, they would have found it difficult to answer."

Top stars commit to BAFTAs

The move seems to be paying off with the confirmed attendance of big names such as leading role nominees Russell Crowe (Gladiator); Tom Hanks (Cast Away); and Juliette Binoche (Chocolat).

Berry added: "We have a lot of people coming -- a lot of nominees. It is terrific."

Simon Relph, Chairman at BAFTA, said the "pivotal move" to a pre-Oscar date had been "under consideration for some time."

"This year's race is truly international and one of the most open in recent memory.

"Our move to go before the American Academy Awards has greatly increased national and international interest."

The move follows a decision by BAFTA in 1998 to separate the film awards from its television ceremony.

"I think the profile of the awards has grown quite dramatically over the past couple of years," added Berry.

"Since the division, interest from the industry and respect for the awards has grown."

The event, which will take place at the Odeon in Leicester Square, London, will be hosted by comedian Stephen Fry and sponsored by mobile phone network firm Orange.

Celebrities handing out the awards include Goldie Hawn, Elton John, Hugh Grant, Roger Moore, and Dame Maggie Smith.

The blockbuster film Gladiator and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon are both up for 14 awards while British hit Billy Elliot received 11 nominations, including youngster Jamie Bell for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Oliver Reed has received a posthumous nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Gladiator.

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BAFTA
U.S. Academy Awards (Oscars)

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