THE red carpet is ready to be rolled and the thank-you speeches are being trimmed as the Oscars roll around again.

But what are the chances have south London and north Kent got of getting their mitts on a statuette?

While we can’t even find a tenuous link to Gravity, the film which floated away with six BAFTAs at the weekend, the area does have fingers in the pies of two strong contenders for the ceremony on Sunday (March 2).

Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks and based on the true story of the hijacking of an American ship by Somali pirates, was directed by Gravesend’s Paul Greengrass.

Meanwhile, 12 Years a Slave – based on the true story of Solomon Northup in pre-Civil War America – is directed by ex-Goldsmiths student Steve McQueen and stars former Dulwich College pupil Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Eagles fan Paul, who co-wrote the infamous Spycatcher book in the 80s and directed the second and third Bourne films, has seen his film nominated for six Academy Awards: best picture, supporting actor, film editing, sound editing, sound mixing and adapted screenplay.

Captain Phillips was also up for nine BAFTAs last week and pulled off a shock victory with Barkhad Abdi winning Best Supporting Actor. He’s a distant second to Jared Leto (in The Dallas Buyer’s Club) in the bookies’ estimations for Sunday but worth a punt, we say.

Unless you have been living in a hole for the last few months, you’ll know the buzz is strong around 12 Years a Slave.

It’s up for eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.
Last weekend the film won two BAFTAs – for Best Picture and Best Actor – from its 10 nominations.

The odds (Paddy Power)

Best Picture

12 Years a Slave 1/6

Gravity 9/2

Captain Phillips 200/1 (equal sixth)

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Matthew McConauhey (The Dallas Buyer’s Club) 1/6

Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street) 9/12

Chiwetel Ejiofor 6/1 (3rd)

Best Director

Steve McQueen 5/1

Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity) 1/14

Best Supporting Actor

Jared Leto (The Dallas Buyer’s Club) 1/12

Barkhad Abdi 10/1 (2nd)

Best Supporting Actress

Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years A Slave) 4/7 (Favourite)

Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) 5/4

Adapted Screenplay

12 Years A Slave 1/7 (Favourite)

Captain Phillips 20/1 (4th)

Best Costume Design

The Great Gatsby 2/9

American Hustle 3/1

12 Years a Slave 9/1 (3rd)

Best Film Editing

Gravity 4/9

Captain Phillips 15/8 (2nd)

12 Years a Slave 8/1 (3rd)

Have you seen the films? What do you reckon? What was your favourite film of the year? Comments below, please.