Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged action thriller “One Battle After Another” leads the pack with 14 nominations for the British Academy Film Awards announced on Tuesday. The film secured acting nods for five members of its cast. Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire epic “Sinners” follows closely with 13 nominations, while Chloé Zhao’s Shakespearean family tragedy “Hamnet” and Josh Safdie’s ping-pong odyssey “Marty Supreme” each received 11 nominations. Guillermo Del Toro’s reimagining of “Frankenstein” and the Norwegian family drama “Sentimental Value” both garnered eight nominations, making them leading contenders for both the British and Hollywood Academy Awards.
Among the nominees for the best film category are “One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” “Sinners,” and “Sentimental Value.” BAFTA chief executive Jane Millichip highlighted the recognition of films such as “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners,” which address significant societal issues like the moral complexities of activism and Black identity, as well as films exploring intimate 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,” 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 performances from “One Battle After Another” actors Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn also received nominations. The Associated Press earned a nomination in the best documentary category for Mstyslav Chernov’s harrowing portrayal of the Ukraine war in “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a production co-produced by the AP and 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 an indicator for the Hollywood Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15 this year. Notably, the BAFTA nominations recognized performers overlooked by the Oscars, including supporting actor nominees Paul Mescal for “Hamnet” and Odessa A’zion for “Marty Supreme.”
The BAFTAs also showcase British talent with a dedicated category for best British film, including nominees like “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” “Pillion,” “I Swear,” and “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.” The majority of BAFTA winners are chosen by 8,500 industry professionals, with the Rising Star Award determined by public vote. This year’s rising star contenders include Infiniti, Aramayo, “Sinners” star Miles Caton, and British actors Archie Madekwe and Posy Sterling.
In an effort to enhance diversity, the British film academy has implemented changes in recent years. Notably, 25% of the directing nominees across all categories, including documentaries and shorts, are women, with Zhao being the sole female nominee in the best director category. Other nominees in this category include Anderson, Safdie, Cooger, Yorgos Lanthimos for “Bugonia,” and Joachim Trier for “Sentimental Value.”