Up for the gong are Twilight lead Kristen Stewart, young Brit Nicholas Hoult and French actor Tahar Rahim.

Zombieland actor Jesse Eisenberg and An Education star Carey Mulligan are also in the category.

Hoult- who appears with Colin Firth in new film A Single Man- spoke to MTV News as the nominations were announced.

The shocked star said: “I still feel like I’m a jobbing actor and the people I have been nominated with are big movie stars. It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, it’s really strange and it’s been a mad day.”

Unlike other BAFTA awards the public can vote to decide the winner of this category. Judges who picked the shortlist include MTV man Melvin Odoom and last year’s winner Noel Clarke.

Adulthood director Clarke told us: “I think it’s a very strong list man they are all deserved nominees. It was a big jury too so everyone didn’t agree so we only found out today as well.”

The BAFTA awards take place on February 21.