HELEN MIRREN UP FOR BEST ACTRESS

PHOTO: BETTINA CIRONE

Helen Mirren rides around NYC

'The Queen' is the front runner at this year's Orange BAFTA awards, after receiving an incredible 10 nominations. Dame Helen Mirren has been nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, for her performance as Queen Elizabeth in the hit film about the British Royal Family after the death of Princess Diana, while Stephen Frears is in the running for the Achievement in Direction award.The British drama will also do battle with 'Casino Royale' - which is named in nine categories - for Outstanding British Film of the Year. And Daniel Craig - who made his debut as James Bond in the film - looks set to silence his critics after being nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role.Craig faces stiff competition for the accolade from Leonardo DiCaprio, for his role in 'The Departed', 'The History Boys' star Richard Griffiths, Peter O'Toole in 'Venus' and Forest Whitaker who was named for his mesmerising performance in 'The Last King of Scotland'.The Best Actress category is equally impressive, with Mirren up against Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet.Fantasy film 'Pan's Labyrinth' is up for eight awards, political drama 'Babel' - starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett - got seven nominations,while 'The Departed', 'Little Miss Sunshine' and 'United 93' all received six.The winners will be announced on February 11 at a glitzy ceremony - hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) - to be held at London's Royal Opera House, in Covent Garden.