Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged action thriller “One Battle After Another” has dominated the nominations for the British Academy Film Awards, receiving a total of 14 nods, including recognition for five cast members. Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire saga “Sinners” follows closely with 13 nominations, while Chloé Zhao’s family drama “Hamnet” and Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme” each secured 11 nominations. Guillermo Del Toro’s reimagining of “Frankenstein” and the Norwegian film “Sentimental Value” both received eight nominations, solidifying their spots among the top contenders for the British and Hollywood awards.
The nominees for Best Film include “One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” “Sinners,” and “Sentimental Value.” According to BAFTA chief executive Jane Millichip, the nominations reflect a mix of films like “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners,” which tackle significant societal issues such as activism and Black identity, along with movies that delve deep into 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 Best Leading Actress category features performances by Jessie Buckley in “Hamnet,” Rose Byrne in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Kate Hudson in “Song Sung Blue,” Chase Infiniti in “One Battle After Another,” Renate Reinsve in “Sentimental Value,” and Emma Stone in “Bugonia.”
Supporting performances from “One Battle After Another” actors Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, and Sean Penn have also been recognized. The Associated Press received a nomination in the Best Documentary category for Mstyslav Chernov’s poignant Ukraine war portrait “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a collaborative effort between the AP and PBS Frontline.
The winners will be revealed at a ceremony on Feb. 22 in London, hosted by actor Alan Cumming. The BAFTA Film Awards often serve as a precursor to the Hollywood Academy Awards, scheduled for March 15 this year. Notably, the Oscar nominations were announced prior this year, with “Sinners” leading with a record 16 nominations, followed by “One Battle After Another” with 13 nods.
The BAFTAs have highlighted performers overlooked by the Oscars, including supporting actor nominees Paul Mescal for “Hamnet” and Odessa A’zion for “Marty Supreme.” The awards also feature a category for Best British Film, with nominees like “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” “Pillion,” “I Swear,” and “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.”
The BAFTA winners are chosen by 8,500 industry professionals from the U.K. academy, with the Rising Star Award determined by public vote from a shortlist of nominees. This year’s rising star contenders include Infiniti, Aramayo, “Sinners” star Miles Caton, and British actors Archie Madekwe and Posy Sterling.
In line with efforts to enhance diversity, the British film academy has implemented changes to promote inclusivity. Notably, the best director category includes Zhao as the sole female nominee, alongside directors like Anderson, Safdie, Cooger, Yorgos Lanthimos for “Bugonia,” and Joachim Trier for “Sentimental Value.” About 25% of the directing nominees across all categories are women, reflecting a commitment to fostering diversity in the industry.