The EE BAFTA film awards take place this Sunday, February 14, at the Royal Opera House in London. So, it's time for us to make predictions on the night's big winners - and for you to join us in choosing your favourites in the major categories. Have a read and then join our poll of the likely winners.
BEST FILM
We predict: Spotlight
Tough to call this category. The Revenant, Spotlight and The Big Short have each won one of the reliable predictors, and it's not impossible that BAFTA members could vote for the not-Oscar-nominated Carol, which would seem to chime well with British reserve and style. Let's rule out Bridge Of Spies at once, however; it's great, but has no momentum. The Big Short is probably a bit too brash and broad for this Academy, so it's either Revenant, Spotlight or Carol. We're going to plump for Spotlight, since it is a great ensemble piece and most voters are actors.
BEST BRITISH FILM
We predict: 45 Years
What to Read Next
Here are some very different films: a music documentary, Amy; a subdued drama, 45 Years; a classic romance, Brooklyn; a timely and teary biopic, The Danish Girl; a psychological sci-fi thriller, Ex-Machina; and an even more psychological sci-fi comedy, The Lobster. If enough voters have seen it, 45 Years looks like the most likely winner. If they missed it, Brooklyn will be the one to take it home.
BEST DIRECTOR
We predict: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant
Judging by every director we've spoken to this year, if only directors voted this would have been given to George Miller for Mad Max: Fury Road without even bothering to name any other nominees. As it is, Miller missed out already. The most likely winner is, therefore, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, who quite literally battled the elements to make The Revenant.
LEADING ACTOR
We predict: Leonardo DiCaprio
DiCaprio is almost as overdue for a BAFTA win as he is for his Oscar, with four nominations now, so expect him to go home with this one without much of a fight. After all, he's already battled a bear. How much more fighting do you need?
LEADING ACTRESS
We predict: Brie Larson, Room
This, in contrast to the Best Actors, is a hugely competitive category. Brie Larson looks like the front-runner for her heartbreaking performance in Room, but Saoirse Ronan's story in Brooklyn may chime strongly with voters. Meanwhile, only a fool would thoughtlessly back a 20-something up against the might of Cate Blanchett and Maggie Smith, and Alicia Vikander has had a breakthrough year. So toss a coin in the air and call it for Larson – but don't bet the house on it.
SUPPORTING ACTOR
We predict: Idris Elba, Beasts Of No Nation
Here are some heavyweight stars indeed. Mark Rylance could benefit from being a local favourite with a towering reputation in this country, but so could Idris Elba, with the added bonus that a vote for him would show up the failure to nominate him for an Oscar. We can probably rule out Bale and Del Toro, who don't seem to have any momentum, but Ruffalo is also in with a chance to ride a pro-Spotlight wave. It's a real race – but let's call this for Elba. He'll wear the sharpest tux.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
We predict: Alicia Vikander, Ex-Machina
OK, so Julie Walters was delightful in Brooklyn, but she's barely there. There are concerns about Kate Winslet's accent in Steve Jobs even if she did win the Golden Globe. Jennifer Jason Leigh is probably too scary in Hateful Eight to win over voters with her performance, so this is probably a battle between Rooney Mara, for Carol (where she's actually the lead) and Alicia Vikander for Ex-Machina. Let's say Vikander, because she had a heck of a year.
ANIMATED FILM
We predict: Inside Out
It's going to be Inside Out. Even Shaun the Sheep would vote for it.
