The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has unveiled the longlist for the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards, highlighting a diverse mix of cinematic excellence across 25 categories. From groundbreaking thrillers to blockbuster spectacles, this year’s contenders promise a fierce competition as the industry gears up for one of the most prestigious events in the awards season calendar.
Leading the Pack
Two distinctly different thrillers are leading the charge in 2024. Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language musical thriller Emilia Pérez, acquired by Netflix at Cannes, has secured a remarkable 15 longlist nominations. These include coveted spots for Best Film, Best Director, Leading Actress, and three Supporting Actress slots. Meanwhile, Edward Berger’s Vatican-set mystery-thriller Conclave is not far behind with 14 nods, including Best Film, Best Director, and a Leading Actor nomination for Ralph Fiennes.
Strong Contenders
A tight pack of films follows closely behind, each carving its own path to potential glory:
- The Substance, The Brutalist, and A Complete Unknown secured 11 nominations each.
- Wicked and Dune: Part Two earned 10 nominations, with both appearing on the Best Film longlist.
- Anora and Gladiator 2 snagged nine nominations each, although Ridley Scott’s historical epic missed out on Best Film and Best Director categories. However, Denzel Washington’s first BAFTA nomination for Supporting Actor adds a historic touch to the film’s recognition.
Smaller Films Making Big Waves
One of the year’s most pleasant surprises comes from Kneecap, a raucous Irish-language music biopic. Despite its modest budget, the film earned seven nominations, including Best Film. Similarly, The Apprentice secured six nominations, including a Leading Actor nod for Sebastian Stan.
Notable Absences
While many top films earned well-deserved recognition, notable absences sparked conversations:
- Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door and Angelina Jolie’s Maria were entirely shut out despite Golden Globe nominations.
- Jesse Eisenberg’s critically acclaimed A Real Pain landed just two nominations: Best Supporting Actor for Kieran Culkin and Original Screenplay.
- Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers received only two nods for Original Screenplay and Editing.
- Nickel Boys, a crowd-pleasing adaptation, managed a single nomination for Adapted Screenplay.
New Additions and Debuts
This year, BAFTA introduced a new category for Children’s and Family Film, featuring overlap with the Animated Film category. Titles like The Wild Robot, That Christmas, and Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl appear in both lists. However, the omission of Paddington in Peru has raised eyebrows, with the film only finding a place in the Outstanding British Film category.
Major Categories Spotlight
Best Film:
- Anora
- The Apprentice
- The Brutalist
- A Complete Unknown
- Conclave
- Dune: Part Two
- Emilia Pérez
- Kneecap
- The Substance
- Wicked
Outstanding British Film:
- Back to Black, Bird, Blitz, Civil War, Conclave, Gladiator II, Hard Truths, Kneecap, Lee, Paddington in Peru, and more.
Rising Stars and Returning Icons
The longlist also includes celebrated talents and rising stars:
- Leading Actress contenders include Amy Adams (Nightbitch), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), and Kate Winslet (Lee).
- Leading Actor nominees feature Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice), and Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown).
- Supporting Actress and Actor categories highlight the performances of Denzel Washington (Gladiator II), Ariana Grande (Wicked), and Michele Austin (Hard Truths).
What’s Next?
The official nominations will be announced on January 15, with the BAFTA Rising Star nominees revealed earlier on January 7. The 2024 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony will take place on February 16 at London’s Royal Festival Hall, hosted by Doctor Who star David Tennant.
With its blend of surprise entries, snubs, and strong contenders, this year’s BAFTA longlist showcases the diversity and creativity that define modern cinema. As the awards season heats up, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see which films and talents take home the coveted prizes.
