Saoirse gets Best Actress BAFTA nod for Brooklyn movie

Box office hit Brooklyn has been honoured with six BAFTA nominations including Best British Film while the movie's Carlow-born star Saoirse Ronan is up for Best Actress.

She will compete against Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl), Brie Larson (Room), Cate Blanchett (Carol) and Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van) for the coveted award.

Meanwhile, Michael Fassbender will vie for Best Actor for his role in Steve Jobs alongside Bryan Cranston (Trumbo), Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl), Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant) and Matt Damon (The Martian).

Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies and Todd Haynes' Carol lead the way at the nominations with nine each, with The Revenant following closely behind with eight and Mad Max: Fury Road with seven. The BAFTA nominations tend to be a good indicator for the Oscar nominations which will be announced on January 14.

Rooney Mara, Kate Winslet, Julie Walters, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alicia Vikander have been nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category, while Benicio Del Toro, Christian Bale, Idris Elba, Mark Ruffalo and Mark Rylance are up for Best Supporting Actor.

Colin Farrell's The Lobster has been recognised in the Outstanding British Film category alongside Domhnall Gleeson's Ex Machina, Brooklyn, 45 Years, The Danish Girl and Amy.

Bel Powley, Brie Larson, Dakota Johnson, John Boyega and Taron Egerton were announced as the nominees for the EE Rising Star Award earlier this week.

The 2016 BAFTAs will take place on Sunday, February 14 at London's Royal Opera House.