Bafta buzz building in Blighty

LONDON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- The Hollywood tribe gathered in London this weekend for the Bafta awards, which are a tuneup to the Oscars and just as glitzy.

A flurry of parties brought out the royalty of the cinema Friday and got everyone buzzing about who will win the top honors at Sunday's televised awards gala at the Royal Opera House.

"Harry Potter" heroine Emma Watson made the biggest splash when she made her entrance at the big bash at the Savoy Hotel dressed in sparkly red, which The Daily Telegraph noted was in conjunction with her launch of a new Lancome makeup for Valentine's Day.

Bafta will have a definite British flavor. Yank Meryl Streep is up for best actress for her role and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in "Iron Lady," and Dame Judy Dench was nominated for best supporting actress in "Drive."

The British spy suspense "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" received 11 nominations, including best film. The other picture nominees are "The Artist," "The Help," "The Descendants" and "Drive."