BAFTA Awards 2024 Overview

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has officially announced the longlists for its highly anticipated 2024 Film Awards, setting the stage for an exhilarating awards season.

Leading the pack are two distinct thrillers: Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language music-thriller “Emilia Pérez,” which boasts an impressive 15 nominations, and Edward Berger’s Vatican-set mystery-thriller “Conclave,” claiming 14 nominations.

Notable Nominations

“Emilia Pérez,” which was acquired by Netflix during the Cannes Film Festival, received nods in key categories such as Best Film, Best Director for Audiard, and a nomination for Leading Actress with Karla Sofía Gascón.

The film has been widely appreciated for its innovative blend of music and suspense, making it a fierce competitor this year.

On the other hand, “Conclave,” featuring a gripping performance by Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal embroiled in intrigue, has also secured nominations for Best Film and Best Director.

Other Contenders

Other films making a mark include “The Substance,” “The Brutalist,” and “A Complete Unknown,” each with 11 nominations.

Meanwhile, heavyweights like “Wicked” and “Dune: Part Two” are not far behind with 10 nods, while Ridley Scott’s much-anticipated “Gladiator 2,” despite its hype, received only nine nominations, notably missing the Best Director and Leading Actor categories.

Smaller-Budget Film Successes

In a notable achievement for smaller-budget films, “Kneecap,” an Irish-language music biopic, has made headlines by securing seven nominations, including a spot on the Best Film longlist.

Similarly, “The Apprentice,” which features the talented Sebastian Stan, shows promise with six nominations.

Controversies and Exclusions

However, not all news is positive. The complete shutout of “Maria” has raised eyebrows, especially given the looming Golden Globe appearance of Angelina Jolie, who stars in the film.

The absence of Pedro Almodóvar’s acclaimed “The Room Next Door,” which recently won at Venice, also stirred disappointment among fans.

New Categories and Surprises

The awards also introduced a new category this year for Children’s and Family Films, highlighting a diverse selection of entries, including familiarity with animated films.

However, some were surprised by the exclusion of the highly anticipated “Paddington in Peru.”

Event Details

The awards ceremony will take place on February 16 at the prestigious Royal Festival Hall in London, with host David Tennant returning to lead the evening's celebrations.

Mark your calendars! The complete list of nominees will be revealed on January 15, which will also include the BAFTA Rising Star nominees, announced a week earlier on January 7.

Conclusion

With its diverse range of nominees and categories that reflect the evolving landscape of film, the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards promises to be an event to watch!