Your essential guide to the Bafta Awards 2024: What you need to know.
It’s that time of the year again – time to dust off your ball gown or perhaps just throw on your favorite outfit, grab a glass of champagne, and settle in for a night of glitz and glamour as the stars gather for the prestigious Bafta film awards. But what exactly are the Baftas?
The Baftas, short for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, is an arts charity that celebrates UK talent in both film and television. Its annual film awards ceremony is one of the UK’s most esteemed cultural events, recognizing both international and homegrown talent. While not quite on par with the Oscars, the Baftas hold significant prestige in the industry.
This year, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” a biopic about the man behind the atomic bomb, leads the pack with 13 nominations, including Best Film, Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, and Best Supporting Actress for Emily Blunt. Nolan himself is favored to win Best Director, which would mark his first Bafta win despite his illustrious career.
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Other notable contenders include Yorgos Lanthimos’s “Poor Things,” Emma Stone in the Best Actress race, and Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Additionally, emerging talent like Jacob Elordi is making waves, although recent controversies may affect his attendance.
The ceremony will feature a star-studded lineup of presenters and performers, including David Beckham, Dua Lipa, and Sophie Ellis Bextor.
Despite strides in diversity initiatives, there are still concerns about representation and inclusivity in certain categories. Nevertheless, the Baftas remain a showcase of the best of British and international filmmaking.
For those eager to tune in, the Bafta Film Awards 2024 will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with international audiences able to stream it via services like Britbox International. So, whether you’re rooting for your favorite film or simply enjoying the spectacle, the Baftas promise an evening of excitement and celebration of cinematic excellence.