In London, the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) revealed their list of nominees for the current year’s accolades, spotlighting Paul Thomas Anderson’s 'One Battle After Another' as the frontrunner with 14 nominations. The politically oriented action thriller has garnered significant attention, including acting nods for five members of its ensemble cast.
Trailing behind is Ryan Coogler’s 'Sinners,' a vampire-themed saga infused with deep blues influences, receiving 13 nominations. Meanwhile, both Chloé Zhao’s Shakespearean-inspired family drama 'Hamnet' and Josh Safdie’s table tennis-themed film 'Marty Supreme' each obtained 11 nominations, reflecting a competitive field among the top contenders.
Rounding out the group are Guillermo del Toro’s reimagined version of 'Frankenstein' and the Norwegian family narrative 'Sentimental Value,' each accumulating eight nominations. These six films dominate the conversation for both the British and Hollywood Academy Awards this season.
The major best film contenders include 'One Battle After Another,' 'Hamnet,' 'Marty Supreme,' 'Sinners,' and 'Sentimental Value.'
BAFTA’s Chief Executive Jane Millichip emphasized the thematic breadth represented by the nominated films, remarking that these works "tackle considerable societal questions – including the moral challenges of activism and Black identity," while also delving into "the nuanced realities of family connections." She praised the filmmakers for employing "distinct, bold storytelling techniques with strong creative voices."
Leading Actor and Actress Nominations Spotlight Variety
In the category of best leading actor, notable contenders range from Timothée Chalamet (“Marty Supreme”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“One Battle After Another”), Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”), Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners”), and Jesse Plemons (“Bugonia”) to British actor Robert Aramayo, who garnered acclaim for portraying a man with Tourette’s syndrome in the biographical drama “I Swear.” Aramayo described his nomination as a thrilling experience, expressing admiration for the other nominees.
The leading actress nominations include Jessie Buckley, recognized for her role as Agnes Hathaway, the spouse of William Shakespeare, in “Hamnet.” She competes alongside Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”), Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), Chase Infiniti (“One Battle After Another”), Renate Reinsve (“Sentimental Value”), and Emma Stone (“Bugonia”), which is described as a dystopian tragicomedy.
Supporting actor nominations for “One Battle After Another” include Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn, underscoring the film’s strong cast contributions.
Documentary and Special Categories
The Associated Press, in collaboration with PBS Frontline, received recognition in the documentary category. Mstyslav Chernov’s poignant portrayal of the conflict in Ukraine, titled “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” earned a nomination.
The winners will be revealed at the BAFTA ceremony in London on February 22, hosted by actor Alan Cumming. These British awards frequently serve as indicators for the subsequent Academy Awards in the United States, which are scheduled for March 15 this year.
Interestingly, this cycle saw the announcement of Oscar nominations prior to BAFTA’s, with “Sinners” securing a record 16 Oscar nominations and “One Battle After Another” obtaining 13.
BAFTA’s selections also recognized talents overlooked by the Oscars, including supporting actor nominees Paul Mescal for “Hamnet” and Odessa A’zion for “Marty Supreme.”
Distinctively British Recognitions
The BAFTAs also maintain a separate category for best British film. Among the ten nominees are titles such as “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” “Pillion,” “I Swear,” and “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.”
Tom Basden, co-writer and actor in “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” shared his satisfaction at receiving three nominations for a film produced on a minimal budget in only 18 days. Notably, Carey Mulligan earned a best supporting actress nomination for her involvement in the project.
Basden commented on the film’s unexpected success and resonance with audiences, describing it as an “underdog story,” emphasizing the achievement despite limited resources.
Efforts Toward Diversity and Inclusion
The BAFTA membership, composed of around 8,500 UK industry professionals, largely determines the outcomes, except for the Rising Star Award, which is decided by public vote from a curated list. This year’s rising star nominees include Chase Infiniti, Robert Aramayo, “Sinners” star Miles Caton, and British actors Archie Madekwe and Posy Sterling.
In recent years, the British Academy has implemented reforms aimed at increasing diversity among nominees. These adjustments include introducing an initial longlist round before final nominations are announced. Compared to 2020, when no women were nominated for best director and all acting nominees were white, there has been progress.
Nevertheless, in the best director category, only Chloé Zhao represents female nominees, competing with Anderson, Safdie, Coogler, Yorgos Lanthimos (“Bugonia”), and Joachim Trier (“Sentimental Value”). Across all categories, including documentaries and shorts, 25% of directing nominees are women.