Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically themed action film “One Battle After Another” leads the nomination race for the British Academy Film Awards, receiving 14 nods, including five acting nominations. Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire saga “Sinners” follows closely with 13 nominations, while Chloé Zhao’s Shakespearean tragedy “Hamnet” and Josh Safdie’s ping-pong adventure “Marty Supreme” each secured 11 nods. Guillermo Del Toro’s reimagining of “Frankenstein” and the Norwegian family drama “Sentimental Value” garnered eight nominations each, completing the 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.” Jane Millichip, the chief executive of BAFTA, praised the recognition of films like “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners,” which tackle significant societal issues such as activism and Black identity, as well as movies that delve into the intimate aspects of family relationships.
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.” The leading actress category features Jessie Buckley for her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway in “Hamnet,” along with Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Chase Infiniti, Renate Reinsve, and Emma Stone in other noteworthy roles.
Supporting performances from Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn in “One Battle” have earned them nominations. The Associated Press received a nomination in the Best Documentary category for “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a harrowing Ukraine war portrait co-produced with PBS Frontline.
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on Feb. 22 in London, hosted by actor Alan Cumming. The EE BAFTA Film Awards often serve as a precursor to the Hollywood Academy Awards, providing insights into potential Oscar triumphs. This year, the Oscars announced nominations first, with “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another” leading the pack.
The BAFTAs showcase performers overlooked by the Oscars, with nominees like Paul Mescal for “Hamnet” and Odessa A’zion for “Marty Supreme.” The awards also spotlight British cinema, with a separate category for Best British Film featuring titles like “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” “Pillion,” “I Swear,” and “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.”
A focus on diversity has been a priority for the British academy, with changes implemented to promote inclusivity. Notably, Zhao is the sole female nominee in the Best Director category, joining male directors in the race for recognition. The voting process now includes a longlist round to enhance diversity in nominations across all categories.
