Hollywood stars have arrived in London for the Bafta Film Awards, as an unpredictable awards season begins to take shape. Conclave leads the nominations with 12, including best film and best actor for Ralph Fiennes. Emilia Pérez follows with 11 nominations but has faced controversy due to resurfaced offensive tweets from its star.
The ceremony, hosted by David Tennant at London’s Royal Festival Hall, will be broadcast on BBC One from 19:00 GMT. The Oscars race remains wide open, with Anora emerging as a frontrunner after winning at key precursor events like the Critics Choice Awards, Directors Guild of America Awards, and Producers Guild of America Awards. It further strengthened its lead by winning the original screenplay prize at the Writers Guild of America Awards.
The Baftas often predict Oscar winners, with last year’s top six categories aligning perfectly between the two ceremonies. The films leading in nominations are Conclave (12), Emilia Pérez (11), The Brutalist (9), and Anora, Dune: Part Two, and Wicked (7 each). The ceremony starts at 17:00 GMT, two hours before its BBC One broadcast, meaning winners may be revealed via news and social media beforehand.
Nominating juries introduced after the 2020 diversity scandal have been largely phased out, allowing Bafta members to determine nominees. Take That will perform their 2008 hit Greatest Day, featured in Anora, while Jeff Goldblum will play piano during the In Memoriam tribute.
Presenters include Pamela Anderson, Anna Kendrick, Camila Cabello, Joe Alwyn, Celia Imrie, James Norton, Selena Gomez, Jesse Eisenberg, Naomi Ackie, and Tom Felton. Warwick Davis will receive the Bafta Fellowship, the academy’s highest honor.
Current Oscars acting frontrunners include Demi Moore (The Substance), Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez), and Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), though their wins at the Baftas are uncertain. The British Academy sometimes rewards home-grown talent over international favorites, as seen with past winners like Rachel Weisz and Kerry Condon.
British contenders this year include Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths), Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Felicity Jones (The Brutalist), Hugh Grant (Heretic), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), and Saoirse Ronan (The Outrun). Other notable nominees are Selena Gomez (Emilia Pérez), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice), and Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown).
The main contenders for best picture and acting awards have gained attention throughout awards season. Anora follows a New York stripper’s romance with a Russian oligarch’s son. The Apprentice chronicles young Donald Trump’s rise in real estate. The Brutalist explores a Hungarian Jewish architect’s post-war journey in America. A Complete Unknown depicts Bob Dylan’s struggle between rock and folk music. Conclave centers on cardinals selecting a new Pope. Dune: Part Two continues Paul Atreides’ quest against House Harkonnen. Emilia Pérez follows a drug lord’s transformation into a woman. Other films include I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, A Real Pain, Sing Sing, The Substance, and Wicked.
Bafta also honors British talent in categories like Outstanding British Film, featuring Bird, Hard Truths, Lee, Kneecap, Love Lies Bleeding, Blitz, The Outrun, Conclave, Gladiator II, and Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. The Outstanding Debut category includes Hoard, Kneecap, Monkey Man, Santosh, and Sister Midnight. The newly introduced Best Children’s and Family Film category includes Wallace and Gromit, Flow, Kensuke’s Kingdom, and The Wild Robot.
