The Beatles documentary lead BAFTA nominations

Ron Howard, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr (Photo: MPL Communications / Charlie Gray)



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The Beatles documentary and I, Daniel Blake lead BAFTA nominations
Fab Four's touring years explored in Ron Howard's film
BYAMELIA ECCLESON-DAVIES
10 JAN 2017




Ron Howard's Beatles on tour documentary is among the leading nominations for the 2017 BAFTAs, which were announced this morning.

The 2016 documentary, called Eight Days A Week, followed the The Beatles' career during their touring years between 1962 and 1966.

Grossing a worldwide total of over $12.2million, the film documenting the Liverpool band's rise to fame was produced with the cooperation of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and has been nominated for best documentary.

Paul and Ringo also recorded a special message for the audience at Liverpool's premiere in September, ahead of the official London launch.

Other nominations announced for the 2017 EE British Academy Film Awards include I, Daniel Blake, a film following a widowed carpenter take on the British welfare system when a heart attack leaves him unable to work.

The film directed by Ken Loach won the Palme d'Or at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and is nominated for five awards: Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Director, Original Screenplay, with Hayley Squires up for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film.

It found strong audience support in Liverpool, and Liverpool Small Cinema is holding two 'pay what you can' screenings of I, Daniel Blake on Thursday and Sunday this week .

The gritty drama competes with Hollywood musical La La Land, which is released in the UK on Friday, for Best Film and Director. The musical received 11 nominations overall and stars Best Actor and Actress-nominated Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.




British actors Emily Blunt, Andrew Garfield and Hugh Grant have also been nominated for next month's awards.

The 2017 BAFTA Film Awards will be held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 12.