Crowe in running for British award

The New Zealand-born actor Russell Crowe has been shortlisted for the British Academy of Film and Television's Best Actor award for his role in The Insider.

He is up against Kevin Spacey (American Beauty) and Ralph Fiennes (The End of the Affair).

Crowe has already been nominated for a Best Acting Oscar for his performance as a tobacco company scientist who blows the whistle on unethical industry practices.

Top Oscar tip American Beauty, directed by Briton Sam Mendes, led the Bafta shortlist with 14 nominations including Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography.

Irish director Neil Jordan's adaptation of the Graham Greene novel, The End of the Affair, picked up 10 nominations, including Best Film and Best Director.

Another adaptation, Anthony Minghella's version of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr Ripley, was shortlisted for seven awards including Best Film.