BAFTA ON BENEFITS!

Grim British drama takes on Hollywood

GRITTY British drama

will take on Hollywood musical at the British Academy Film Awards.

And Brit stars Andrew Garfield and Emily Blunt are among the top acting nominees.

Ken Loach’s study of life on benefits, which won the Palme d’Or prize at the Cannes festival, will compete for the Best Film BAFTA against the starry love letter to Los Angeles, which won a record seven Golden Globes earlier this week. Hacksaw Ridge, while Blunt picked up a leading actress nomination for The Girl On The Train.

While Garfield’s performance has won critical praise, he faces stiff competition from Casey Affleck, who has already won a Golden Globe for Manchester By The Sea.

They’re both up against La La Land’s Ryan Gosling, who also scored a Golden Globe, Jake Gyllenhaal for Nocturnal Animals and Viggo Mortensen for Captain Fantastic.

Emily Blunt will go head-to-head with Hollywood legend Meryl Streep for Florence Foster Jenkins, Amy Adams for Arrival, Golden Globe winner Emma Stone for La La Land and Natalie Portman for her portrayal of the former First Lady in Jackie.

Hugh Grant could also land a supporting actor award for his role as Streep’s devoted husband.

He faces competition from fellow Brits Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who won at the Globes for Nocturnal Animals, and Dev Patel for Lion, as well as American actors Jeff Bridges for Hell Or High Water, and Mahershala Ali in Moonlight.

Skyfall star Naomie Harris has a nomination for best supporting actress for her role as a crack addict in Moonlight, alongside I, Daniel Blake’s Hayley Squires, Manchester By The Sea’s Michelle Williams, Lion star Nicole Kidman and Viola Davis for Fences.

La La Land is nominated in 11 categories, including Best Film while I, Daniel Blake has five nominations.

The awards will be handed out at the Royal Albert Hall on February 12. BUST GREAT: Emily Blunt