Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically themed action film “One Battle After Another” has taken the lead in nominations for the British Academy Film Awards, receiving 14 nods on Tuesday, which include recognition for five of its actors. Following closely behind is Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire epic “Sinners,” with 13 nominations, 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 secured eight nominations, 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 CEO of BAFTA, highlighted that the nominations recognize films like “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners,” which address significant societal issues such as activism and Black identity, as well as delve into the intimate aspects of family relationships.
In the best leading actor category, contenders are 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 includes 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.”
Supporting actors from “One Battle After Another” including Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn have all received nominations. The Associated Press got a best documentary nomination for Mstyslav Chernov’s “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a Ukraine war portrait co-produced by AP and PBS Frontline.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony on February 22 in London hosted by Alan Cumming. The EE BAFTA Film Awards often serve as a precursor to the Hollywood Academy Awards, which will be held on March 15 this year. The BAFTA nominations have recognized performers overlooked by the Oscars, such as supporting actor nominees Paul Mescal for “Hamnet” and Odessa A’zion for “Marty Supreme.”
The BAFTAs also feature a best British film category, with nominees including “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” “Pillion,” “I Swear,” and “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.” The majority of BAFTA winners are chosen by industry professionals from the U.K. academy, with the Rising Star Award being determined by public vote. This year’s rising star nominees are Infiniti, Aramayo, Miles Caton from “Sinners,” and British actors Archie Madekwe and Posy Sterling.
In an effort to enhance diversity, the British film academy has implemented changes in recent years. In 2020, initiatives were introduced to address issues such as the lack of female nominees for best director and the absence of diversity among acting nominees. Adjustments were made to the voting process, including the addition of a longlisting stage before final nominations are selected. Zhao is the sole female nominee in the best director category, among other notable directors like Anderson, Safdie, Cooger, Lanthimos for “Bugonia,” and Trier for “Sentimental Value.” Around 25% of directing nominees across all categories are women.