Hollywood’s biggest stars descend on London for the BAFTA Awards, Britain’s top film honours, where a tight race is unfolding between some of the year’s most talked-about films. Conclave, a gripping papal thriller, leads with 12 nominations, while The Brutalist, a sweeping post-war drama about a Hungarian immigrant rebuilding his life in the U.S., is a strong contender for Best Film. However, Anora, the story of an exotic dancer entangled with a Russian oligarch’s son, has gained momentum following victories at the Critics Choice Awards, as well as the Producers and Directors Guild of America Awards.
Initially, The Brutalist was expected to dominate the awards season, but industry insiders now believe Anora could pull off a surprise win. Completing the Best Film lineup are A Complete Unknown, a Bob Dylan biopic, and the Spanish-language musical crime drama Emilia Perez. With no clear frontrunner this year, the competition remains fierce.
The Best Director category sees Anora‘s Sean Baker going head-to-head with Conclave‘s Edward Berger, who made history in 2023 when his German adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front won seven BAFTAs. Also in the mix is Brady Corbet for The Brutalist. Meanwhile, Adrien Brody has emerged as the favorite for Best Leading Actor following multiple wins at other ceremonies.
The Best Leading Actress category is shaping up to be a battle between Demi Moore, recognized for her chilling performance in the body horror film The Substance, and British actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste, praised for her emotionally charged role in Hard Truths, a film about a woman struggling with depression.
Emilia Perez, which follows a lawyer aiding a Mexican cartel leader’s transformation from a man to a woman, is another major contender, securing 11 nominations. It was once a strong awards frontrunner but has faced setbacks following past controversial social media posts by its lead, Karla Sofia Gascon, who has since apologized and stepped away from the spotlight. Gascon and co-star Zoe Saldana are both nominated, with Saldana widely expected to win Best Supporting Actress after multiple accolades this season.
Another likely winner is Kieran Culkin for his supporting role in A Real Pain, having swept nearly every major award in the category. With unpredictable races across several categories, this year’s BAFTAs promise surprises and intense competition as the road to the Academy Awards continues.
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