BAFTA Film Awards nominees showcase diverse talent and creativity

The upcoming BAFTA Film Awards have unveiled a list of nominees that highlights a diverse range of talent in the film industry including queer-flavoured offerings such as Emilia Perez [pictured] and Wicked, both of which have healthy recognition.

Leading the charge, however, is Conclave, the Papal potboiler, which has garnered an impressive 12 nominations, making it the frontrunner in this year’s awards race. Close behind is trans-gangster musical, Emilia Pérez, with 11 nominations, while The Brutalist follows with nine.

Several films have also made their mark with seven nominations each, including Anora, from Tangerine director Sean Baker, Dune: Part Two, and Wicked. Six nominations have been secured by A Complete Unknown, the Timothée Chalamet Bob Dylan film, and Kneecap, while both Nosferatu and The Substance have received five nominations, mainly in visual art categories.

In addition, a cluster of films has been nominated three times, including Trump take-down The Apprentice, Blitz, Gladiator II, Sing Sing, starring gay superstar Colman Domingo, who was also nominated, Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, and The Wild Robot. Demi Moore will also no doubt be delighted to tears at her nomination for the really rather weird and wonderful The Substance.

Of the nominees in the performance categories, 14 out of 24 have received their first-ever BAFTA Film nominations. Among these first-timers are Yura Borisov in Anora, Kieran Culkin for his genius work in A Real Pain, queer British actress Cynthia Erivo in Wicked, and several others who have made a notable impact this year.

With the decision on whether the Oscars will go ahead this year, what with the LA fires, the ceremony on 16 February may be the starriest awards evening of the year.