British Academy announces most diverse nominations ever after '#BAFTAsSoWhite' firestorm
One year after sparking the #BAFTAsSoWhite firestorm, the "British Oscars" just announced its most diverse list of nominees ever.
The British Academy Film Awards, the British equivalent of the Academy Awards, announced its 2021 nominations on Monday, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, it was "the most diverse nominations list ever seen in the British Academy's history." Of the 24 actors nominated, 16 of them are from under-represented groups, Deadline reports.
Among those who earned nods included stars from Minari, Judas and the Black Messiah, One Night in Miami, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, and Da 5 Bloods. This came a year after the nominees in the BAFTAs' acting categories were all white, prompting outrage and the hashtag "#BAFTAsSoWhite." Since then, the BAFTAs underwent a "wide-ranging seven-month review of its membership and awards voting procedures," according to Variety.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This year's BAFTA nominations also included four women nominated for best director, which according to Deadline was the most in the show's history. Babyteeth's Shannon Murphy, Nomadland's Chloé Zhao, Quo Vadis, Aida?'s Jasmila Žbanić, and Rocks' Sarah Gavron were all nominated, in addition to Another Round's Thomas Vinterberg and Minari's Lee Isaac Chung. Previously, the Reporter notes, no more than one female director had ever been nominated in a single year.
Nomadland and Rocks scored the most BAFTA nominations with seven, and nominees for Best Film were The Father, The Mauritanian, Nomadland, Promising Young Woman, and The Trial Of The Chicago 7. Each of those films receives some more Oscars momentum, as the Academy Award winner for Best Picture is typically at least nominated here.
The 2021 British Academy Film Awards is scheduled for April 10 and April 11, two weeks before this year's Academy Awards.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'Trump trial transcends sex, money and politics'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sydney mall attacker may have targeted women
Speed Read Police commissioner says gender of victims is 'area of interest' to investigators
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Kerala: one Indian state, four exhilarating ways
The Week Recommends The southwestern region pretty much has it all, from beachfront, to port metropolis, to verdant mountainside
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published