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16 January 08
The full list of winners and nominations for the Orange British Academy Film Awards in 2008.
For Special Achievement by a British Director, Writer or Producer in their First Feature Film

BAFTA Archive
For more British Academy Award winners from the last Sixty Years visit our Searchable Awards Database
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Jim
11 March 10:01
"Really pleased that Marion Cotillard won - it was a phenomenal performance that fully deserved wider attention."
yenn
28 February 10:17
"Kiera should have won best actress and Dario Marianelli should have won for the best music."
Chris Bogle
19 February 09:48
"I've no idea why James Mcevoy didn't win best actor - it was one of the most stunning performances in one of the most beautifully crafted and moving films I've ever seen. "
Susannah
19 February 09:48
"James McAvoy should've won for best actor. I read Atonement before seeing it and thought he did an absolutely wonderful job making Robbie come alive on screen. GO JAMES!!"
Hailey
18 February 09:31
"Atonement with 14 nominations and they didn't win many of them. Spider-Man 3 deserved a win, but I'm happy Shia LeBoeuf won. Keira should have won best actress - she's amazing."
Daniella Livingstone
16 February 15:25
"I think the Best Actress award should have gone to Kiera or Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth: the Golden Age."
John Clemons
16 February 15:24
"The award for best picture assuredly did not go to the best picture. In fact, it is disheartening to see Atonement receive an award because it is a British film. This can be the only explanation for the award for best picture going to a glossy bit of fluff that tries hard to be suspenseful and meaningful , but fails miserably. Once the film moves to the war scenes, everything falls apart. Actually the pivotal scene of supposed assault gives everything away and I cannot for one moment find any credibility in the young vixen actually going through a trial and sustaining her lie . The best film is undoubtedly No Country for Old Men. The themes, the plot, and the acting are first-rate and thought-provoking. Very Ingmar Bergman type of film, a movie that Bergman himself would have applauded. The novel Atonement is also far inferior to McCarthy's novel. By choosing Atonement the Brits were able to award both a British novel and British film. The Coens are given the best director award and their film doesn't receive the best picture award. BAFTA voters don't have any integrity or honesty, not to mention their dysfunctional lack of consistency . A provincial choice, Atonement is simply not as good a film as Juno."
Khristine
16 February 15:22
"Where was Hot Fuzz in this? No comedies allowed? I enjoyed it more than all of these."
mary
13 February 15:56
"The best actor award could only have gone to Daniel Day-Lewis. He was riveting in this, and all, his films. What an amazing actor. "
Caroline
13 February 15:56
"SUPERB!!!!! Congratulations to Sir Anthony Hopkins for his latest recognition. WELL DESERVED. XXX"
Apostolis
13 February 15:55
"I was very disappointed that all of my favourite movies for the year 2008 won nothing. I'm talking about movies such as Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(excellent), Stardust(great film), Hairspray(superb film and soundtrack), Spiderman 3, Sweeney Todd(excellent) and many others... On the other hand I am really suprised that the Golden Compass won the visual effects award, since it had, in my opinion, no visual effects at all(in comparison with Harry Potter and Spiderman 3)......"
Julie
13 February 15:55
"I too wish that James McAvoy had won. He is a fantastic actor and was incredible in Atonement. He has that ability to bring the viewer right into the character's world. He has an attention to details and a sensitivity as an actor that is rare."
Hannah, 15, Gloucester
12 February 11:00
"I'm surprised that James McAvoy didn't win best leading actor for atonement! His performance was breathtaking."
Robert Corness
12 February 10:31
"I was surprised and disappointed to see that " The Assassination of Jesse James" was not nominated for best cinematography. The film is visually stunning!"
Anonymous
12 February 10:30
"I do like the way the Film Awards really praises British films... Atonement deserved much more credit"
Anton Y Mous
12 February 10:29
"How did "Atonement" win best film? It wasn't even the best British film and was well behind "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood"."
charlotte, 12
12 February 10:29
"I am suprised that st trinians never got an award or even got a choice of winning :("
Bernard Elgar
11 February 18:17
"THE PEARCE SISTERS – Jo Allen/Luis Cook When a superbly talented and hard working team such as this are recognised it reafirms my faith in the process. Good to see Jo getting the recognition she deserves. Wonderful. "
Dave Preston
11 February 18:17
"Could someone explain to me how a film that isn't good enough to win the Best British Film award be judged to be the best picture overall? I'm speaking of course about Atonement which managed to win Best Picture but lost out in the Best British Film to This Is England"
Robert
11 February 18:16
"How on Earth could they ignore the amazing Cate Blanchett! "
Ross
11 February 18:16
"Wow. Keira Knightley's performance in Atonement hasn't been fully respected in yet another award show."
victoria nelson
11 February 18:15
"i am also annoyed to see that johnny depp has been ignored for best leading actor. and there is no recognition for the films that people have loved this year such as st trinians & the fabulous directing by Tim Burton. "
Susan Brophy-LeMay
10 February 18:19
"I was disappointed to see that yet again Johnny Depp has been ignored for an award nomination. It is such a shame that those who decide who to put forward for these things don't take the chance on an extrememly talented actor who has persistantly put out an entertaining and interesting body of work. Is it the fact that he has chosen to make the films that interest him instead of just using his so called 'good looks' that he is being ignored?"
Pennie Hooper
08 February 09:44
"If a friend of mine had not encouraged me to see The Kite Runner I probably would not have done so, having been discouraged by the critics reviews and lack of Oscar nomination, apart from for Music. But the film is moving and wonderful and 100% worth seeing. I was entranced by the book and equally so by the film, the actors perfomances and the adaptation of the book. Well done BAFTA for awarding it the three nominations, but I think it should be up for Best Film too. In addition, Marion Cottilard in La Vie en Rose and James McAvoy's performance in Atonement were my other favourites of this year's BAFTA crop."
Jeni
06 February 09:46
"I am Stunned that Sweeney Todd has been left out of all the major catagories. I thought it was an artistic triumph and should have earned a nomination for Depp, Burton and Bonham-Carter. I'm also surprised that Atonement has recieved so many. It was a good film and very beautifully shot but I can't say it made a huge impression."
Sally Smith
05 February 14:14
"I wasn't sure what to expect when I started watching Atonement last night; I was worried that Keira Knightley was going to overplay the role of Cecila. In fact all actors and actresses in the film were amazing, as were the thousands of extras in the Dunkirk scenes. The cinematography, lighting and direction were all beautiful. The film moved me to tears on numerous occasions, with James McAvoy particularly standing out. I can now see why Atonement has received so many BAFTA nominations (they are all well deserved) - it is just a shame the Oscars have not given more nominations to such a great British film. "
Amy Ballance
01 February 16:59
"Just three nominations for Sweeney Todd and leaving Johnny Depp off the list...very disappointing. "
danny
01 February 15:57
"What about Jesse James? I don't understand how this beautiful, poetic movie has been completely passed over in favour of films like Atonement and Eastern Promises."
Laura Henriksen
23 January 16:56
"what about Into The Wild? it is without a doubt the best film i've seen this year. it should have been nominated at least for best film and best adapted screenplay. i don't understand how it's been so overlooked in all award ceremonies this year? "
Ruby
22 January 16:13
"I recently had the pleasure in viewing a wonderful short film titled Boot Polish at a small venue in Scotland, and I wanted to know why the Academy did not select the film? As a film lover, I am a huge fan of this director and a friend of mine said to me perhaps it was because it was not English and not screened at a major UK festival in 2008 so it can qualify or something? The director is English and the film should have qualified as British. I live in Scotland (*British born Pakistani*). Boot Polish is a fantastic short film, very artistic and in my opinion deserves BAFTA recognition. "
Anna
21 January 16:35
"Glad that Atonement has been well nominated was such a good film. I hope James McAvoy and Kiera Knightley get the Baftas they deserve. Well, to be honest, I hope they take the lot. "
Lucy
21 January 16:34
"I am pleased, yet unsurprised, that Atonement has so many nominations, but I can't believe Christian Bale did not get a nomination this year for his fantastic performance in 3:10 to Yuma-not to mention Rescue Dawn. As far as I am aware, he has never been nominated in the past. It makes me wonder what exactly he has to do to get a nomination."
Fran Dowling
21 January 16:34
"I'm not surprised by the amount of nominations Atonement got - it was definitely one of the best films I saw last year and I really hope Keira Knightley, James McAvoy and Saoirse Ronan win, as well as Joe Wright for best director. On another note, I am extremely surprised how little nominations Sweeney Todd has received, I thought it was a fantastic film and definitely deserves a bit more acknowledgement here in the UK! For rising star award I think it should go to either Shia LaBeouf or Ellen Page. Page did a fantastic job in Juno and LaBeouf is going to go on and do great things in film - forget Transformers which was just a simple fun action film, I believe he really proved his talent in Disturbia and more importantly in A Guide To Recognising Your Heroes (which is such an underated film by the way). Another surprise for me was how little nominations This Is England got - I definitely think Thomas Turgoose should have been up for an award, he was amazing in that film and definitely deserved an acknowledgement!!"
Jennifer Cramer
21 January 16:33
"I am very happy that Paul Dano is acknowledged for his performance, but I am a bit disappointed that Amy Ryan didn't snag a nomination for Gone Baby Gone. I also would have really liked to see Josh Brolin with a nod. Finally, it's good to see The Lives of Others back in contention for awards; that is the first film featuring Ulrich Muhe I had the privilege of viewing, and I absolutely loved him. He left us too soon."
Sue
21 January 16:33
"I can't believe that Sweeney Todd hasn't been nominated in the main catagories! Especially after its success at the Golden Globes! Many critics have called it 'A masterpiece'! Shouldn't it be recognised as a great British musical (we don't produce many of them!)."
Brandon
21 January 16:33
"I am quite surprised to see Johnny Depp left out of the lead actor category for Sweeney Todd. He does an excellent job singing and acting in this film."
Kim Burrows
21 January 16:32
"very sorry to see that one of the most delightful films of 2007 has been overlooked in every category. I suppose that as 'Stardust' was merely joyous, captivating, funny (excellent Robert de Niro, but the rest of the cast too) and entertaining from beginning to end means it merits nothing. Why not bring back the Orange people's film choice award so that films like Stardust and Harry Potter can be recognised for excellent film work that 'only' results in making audiences feel genuinely entertained and uplifted. Worthy as the nominations are, there should be room for the wonderful films that don't fall easily into the nomination categories - remember 'Singing in the Rain'? It is a situation that has needed a remedy for some time - we less 'intellectual' individuals would like to see some lighter fare be recognised for the entertainment we receive."
Michael
21 January 16:32
"I am astounded that the short film Boot Polish was not nominated for Best short film for 2008. Ahmad had encapsulated all the right emotional content to make this film into one genuine Bafta Winner. The director Aneel Ahmad is extremely talented and the film Boot Polish was of prestige quality. Shame on you BAFTA. I suggest you glance at the public comments on IMDB. Regards Mike "
Yoo babe
21 January 16:32
"No TRANSFORMERS for Visual Effects and Sound is a JOKE. Get Real People."
Jen
21 January 16:31
"Shrek the Third? Please, please tell me that Persepolis, Beowulf, Meet the Robinsons, and Tekkon Kinkreet weren't eligible."
Nicky
21 January 16:31
"While it's great to see a British film getting so many nominations I have to admit I'm not 100% certain that Atonement deserves to get so many nominations..I'm not saying it's a bad film and Keira Knightley is certainly better in it than she has been in most other films but she does not deserve a nomination for best Actress. What about Angelina Jolie in A Mighty Heart? And what's with Sweeney Todd only getting 3 nominations and none of them in major categories? It's getting rave reviews and multiple awards in the States whilst we're virtually ignoring it!"
Jay Mc
21 January 16:30
"La Vie en Rose is deserving of all the nominations it has received from BAFTA, I think it is fantastic that it has been recognised. One of the most powerful films of the year."
Agatha Miles
21 January 16:29
"Dear BAFTA I am tremendously saddened to notice that the short film Boot Polish has not been nominated for best short film - unquestionably the best short film of 2008. Perhaps the film requires more UK festival screenings for nomination. By far it is the best short film made by a British director and it should of not only be nominated but it must Win in 2009 Regards Agatha (Buckinghamshire) "
Fred J Fullerton
21 January 16:29
"Just announced: The Producers Guild of America, choice of best film does not include Atonement. The other day a Radio show in London ran a phone-in for any good comments about Atonement. No one phoned up. There have been so many good films this year. Why Assassination of Jessie James...., Eastern Promises & The Bourne Ultimatum never made the final five is beyond belief. The Grapevine is talking about Atonement's 14 Bafta nominations. Good luck to all on the day."
Tolquinn
16 January 11:25
"Had to check site when I heard some of the nominations to make sure la vie en rose had been nominated - definately the best film of 2007. Was extremely dissapointed by Atonement, apart from James mcevoy, who stole the film as usual. It would be a great injustice if the actress who played Edith Piaf were not to walk away with the award!"
Fred J Fullerton
16 January 11:24
"I am surprised to see Atonement nominated in so many categories. I'm not saying it is a bad movie, but it just did not work for me. Good luck to all."