Bafta 2008 shows star pulling power

Hollywood stars from Daniel Day-Lewis to Jessica Biel (pictured) are RSVP-ing to their Bafta invitations with a resounding yes. The London event on Sunday, February 10 offers them a rare chance to appear on a red carpet this awards season after the Hollywood writers' strike wiped out the Golden Globes and now threatens the 80th Academy Awards. The old cry of "Marlon Brando/Robert de Niro is unable to be with us, but he joins us now by video from the set of his new film/his back garden..." will not be heard this year from host Jonathan Ross.

Directors nominated for Bafta awards who have confirmed their attendance include US directors Paul Thomas Anderson (There Will be Blood) and Joel Coen (No Country For Old Men), whose films have nine nominations each. Among nominated actors who've said they'll come are Daniel Day-Lewis, in the running for best actor for There Will Be Blood, Javier Bardem, up for best supporting actor in No Country and Marion Cotillard, in line for best actress for her turn as French chanteuse Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose.

The British film Atonement, which has won 14 nominations including best film, will be represented by its lead stars James McAvoy and Keira Knightley along with director Joe Wright, all of whom are up for awards. The Orange Rising Star Award nominees Sam Riley, Sienna Miller and Tang Wei, and last year's winner, Bond girl Eva Green, are also expected at the event, the British Academy announced this morning.

In this awards-free season, a guest presenting spot also gives stars a chance to raise their profile. Those who have confirmed they'll be handing over statuettes include Kate Hudson and Orlando Bloom as well as Jessica Biel. The only bad news is that the long-range weather forecast predicts rain – which has famously dogged recent Bafta ceremonies, with many a starlet's Manolo Blahniks ruined walking up a sodden red carpet in Leicester Square. Last year, however, the event moved to the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where they know how to put on a show.