The competition is fierce as major films vie for prestigious awards, with surprises and key omissions in the lineup.
Bafta Nominations Heat Up with Conclave and Emilia Pérez Leading the Charge
Bafta Nominations Heat Up with Conclave and Emilia Pérez Leading the Charge
This year's Bafta nominations are highlighted by intriguing films and standout performances.
The race for the Bafta Film Awards is heating up, with Conclave, an engaging tale of scheming cardinals electing a new Pope, leading the nominations with 12 nods. Following closely is Emilia Pérez, a Netflix Spanish-language musical featuring Selena Gomez, which tells the story of a former cartel leader transitioning to a new life as a transgender woman. As the awards season approaches, the acting frontrunners include Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore for the Best Actress category, while Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalamet are in contention for Best Actor. Notably, Denzel Washington and Daniel Craig did not secure nominations for their roles in Gladiator II and Queer, respectively, raising eyebrows among critics.
Among the surprising nominations, Hugh Grant makes the cut for his lead role in the horror film Heretic, and Saoirse Ronan is nominated for her performance in The Outrun. Jamie Lee Curtis's nomination as Supporting Actress for The Last Showgirl brings attention to the film, although its lead, Pamela Anderson, was notably absent from the nominations.
Alongside Conclave, Anora — which depicts a whirlwind romance between a New York sex worker and the son of a Russian oligarch — has garnered seven nominations, notably for Best Film and a nod for lead actress Mikey Madison. Meanwhile, The Brutalist received nine nominations, showcasing an architect's story post-World War II, with Brady Corbet in the running for Best Director along with first-time nominee Coralie Fargeat from The Substance.
Highlighting diversity, the Bafta nominations feature a dedicated category for children's and family films for the first time, with Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and others competing. The Bafta Film Awards, set for 16 February at London’s Royal Festival Hall, promises a night filled with high-stakes drama, standout moments, and aspiring talent making their mark in the film industry.
As the industry anticipates potential Oscar contenders, the Bafta shortlist often serves as a precursor, reinforcing its significance in shaping awards season narratives.
