This year’s BAFTA nominations are led by intriguing storylines and a mix of fresh talent and seasoned actors, setting the stage for an exciting awards season.
Pope Election Intrigues and Rising Stars Dominate BAFTA Nominations
Pope Election Intrigues and Rising Stars Dominate BAFTA Nominations
The BAFTA race heats up with top films vying for prestigious awards as new faces shine.
Conclave, a film centered around a scheming group of cardinals in Rome tasked with electing a new Pope, tops the list of nominees for the BAFTA Film Awards with an impressive 12 nominations. Following closely is the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez, available on Netflix, which depicts the story of a cartel leader transitioning into a life as a transgender woman. The nominations reflect diverse themes and perspectives as awards season approaches.
In the acting categories, notable contenders include Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore for lead actress, alongside Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalamet for lead actor. However, both Denzel Washington and Daniel Craig were surprisingly left off the shortlist for their performances in Gladiator II and Queer, respectively. Among the surprises is Hugh Grant’s nomination for his role in the horror film Heretic, as well as Saoirse Ronan’s nod for The Outrun.
This year's prominent films further include The Brutalist, which garnered nine nominations, and Anora, a romantic drama that has seven nominations. Anora explores the whirlwind romance between a New York sex worker and a wealthy Russian heir, placing actress Mikey Madison and director Sean Baker in the spotlight. Half of the nominees in the Best Director category are first-time nominees, including Coralie Fargeat for The Substance.
The BAFTA nominations also spotlight British actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste for her role in Hard Truths, a film exploring mental health themes. The shortlist, often viewed as a predictor for the Oscars, highlights the competitive nature of this awards season. Another Oscar hopeful, A Complete Unknown, boasts six nominations, chronicling Bob Dylan's ascent to fame with Chalamet leading the charge.
Blockbuster films like Dune: Part Two and Wicked each earned seven nominations, while Gladiator II secured three, missing out on acting nominations entirely. For the first time, children's films now have a dedicated category, featuring nominations such as Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl alongside others like Flow.
The BAFTA Film Awards will take place on February 16, hosted by David Tennant, promising to celebrate both the established greats and groundbreaking newcomers in the film industry.
