Colin Firth and Natalie Portman are firm favourites for Oscar success, according to leading film critics.

50-year-old Firth, who picked up a Golden Globe recently for his performance in The King's Speech, is Britain's biggest hope of success at the Academy Awards, as he is hotly tipped to walk away with the Best Actor award.

British historical drama The King's Speech is the most nominated film this year with 12 nods, including Best Picture, but film critic James King believes it won't sweep the board.

"I think this year we might see a split in terms of the big awards. Yes, The King's Speech could win Best Picture...but I still think that perhaps The Social Network, the big America favourite will perhaps win Best Director for David Fincher", he told us.

Find out who wins what when the Oscars take place in LA on February 27.