Inclusivity Shines At the British Academy Film Awards
Inclusivity was present more so at the 74th British Academy Film Awards than ever before. Last year, the BAFTA awards was called out for nominating predominantly white people. They took the criticism and made important changes. 16 out of the 24 acting nominees were people of color and four women were nominated for best director.
The awards show was a two-day virtual ceremony held at the Royal Albert Hall. Clara Amfo and Rhianna Dhillon presented the first night (Saturday) and Dermot O’Leary and Edith Bowman on the second night (Sunday). Tom Hiddleston, Cynthia Erivo, Phoebe Dynevor, James McAvoy, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Hugh Grant came in-person to present multiple awards.
Chloe Zhao has become the first woman of colour to win the BAFTA Film Award for Best Director – and only the second woman ever. Congrats from me & all at @girlsonfilm_pod – here’s to many more wins for wonderful women! #NOMADLAND #EEBAFTAs #GirlsOnFilm pic.twitter.com/qfmLw7jjuW
— Anna Smith (@annasmithjourno) April 11, 2021
Chloé Zhao won Best Director for Nomadland. The Chinese-born director is the second woman to win a BAFTA award for Best Director. Kathryn Bigelow won back in 2009. Daniel Kaluuya won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah, and Yuh-Jung Youn won Best Supporting Actress for Minari.
#bafta2021 #diversity Four women of colour up for Best Actress for Best Actress at the Bafta Awards this year. The first ever time in history. Andra Day should have got a nomination too. pic.twitter.com/yrHUWTu3kl
— Patrick Clohessy (@frodomunster) March 29, 2021
The public voted Bukky Bakray as the winner of rising star for her role in Rocks. She also won the Casting BAFTA award. Writer-Director Remi Weekes won the Outstanding Debut award for the horror film His House. Emerald Fennell’s feature debut Promising Young Woman won Outstanding British Film and Best Original Screenplay.
Pixar’s Soul won two awards for Best Animated Film and Best Original Score for musicians Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor, and Atticus Ross. Noel Clarke, Kidulthood and Bulletproof creator, won the award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. Ang Lee was honored with the Bafta Fellowship.
With this positive change, we hope to continue seeing more diversity and inclusion throughout the film industry. To see the full list of BAFTA winners click here.
Writer | Tweet me @sapnaamin7
