Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged action thriller “One Battle After Another” leads the pack with 14 nominations for the British Academy Film Awards. Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire epic “Sinners” follows closely with 13 nods, while Chloé Zhao’s Shakespearean family tragedy “Hamnet” and Josh Safdie’s ping-pong adventure “Marty Supreme” each received 11 nominations. Guillermo Del Toro’s reimagining of “Frankenstein” and the Norwegian family drama “Sentimental Value” both garnered eight nominations, making them top contenders for both the British and Hollywood Academy Awards.
The nominees for best film include “One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” “Sinners,” and “Sentimental Value.” BAFTA chief executive Jane Millichip highlighted the recognition of films like “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners,” addressing significant societal issues such as activism and Black identity, as well as exploring the intimate aspects of family relationships through various storytelling approaches.
In the best leading actor category, contenders include Robert Aramayo for his role in the biographical drama “I Swear,” Timothée Chalamet for “Marty Supreme,” Leonardo DiCaprio for “One Battle After Another,” Ethan Hawke for the Broadway biopic “Blue Moon,” Michael B. Jordan for “Sinners,” and Jesse Plemons for the dystopian tragicomedy “Bugonia.”
Among the leading actress nominees are Jessie Buckley for her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway in “Hamnet,” Rose Byrne for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Kate Hudson for “Song Sung Blue,” Chase Infiniti for “One Battle After Another,” Renate Reinsve for “Sentimental Value,” and Emma Stone for “Bugonia.”
In the supporting actor category, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn from “One Battle After Another” have all received nominations. The Associated Press earned a nomination in the best documentary category for Mstyslav Chernov’s powerful Ukraine war documentary “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” co-produced with PBS Frontline.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on Feb. 22, hosted by actor Alan Cumming. The EE BAFTA Film Awards often serve as a preview for the Hollywood Academy Awards, which are scheduled for March 15 this year. The BAFTAs also feature a category for the best British film, with nominees like “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” “Pillion,” “I Swear,” and “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.”
The BAFTA awards underscore a commitment to diversity, with ongoing efforts to increase representation. This year, changes in the voting process have led to a more diverse nominee pool, with Chloé Zhao being the only female nominee in the best director category. Additionally, 25% of the directing nominees across all categories are women, showcasing a step towards greater inclusivity in the industry.