This Sunday, February 19, 2023, the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony took place at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Richard E. Grant was this year’s host for the ceremony, taking the baton from last year’s host, Rebel Wilson. Mr. Grant hosted a seamless show this time with no political jokes or any sarcastic comments aimed at the guests. 2023 marked BAFTAs largest number of nominees in attendance and a new venue.
“All Quiet on the Western Front” leads with the most number (7) of BAFTA Awards. This war epic has now beaten “Cinema Paradiso” (5) and created a record for a non-English film. “The Banshees of Inisherin” also had a strong presence at the BAFTAs, converting ten nominations into four wins.
Best Film
The nominees for Best Film at this year’s BAFTA were “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Elvis,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” and “Tar.” Where “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and “The Banshees of Inisherin” was dominating this entire award season in this category, but surprisingly the BAFTA for Best Film went to “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
Leading Actress
Cate Blanchett (“Tar”), Viola Davis (“The Woman King”), Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”), Ana DE Armas (“Blonde”), Emma Thompson (“Good Luck to you, Leo Grande”), and Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”) were the six nominees contending for leading actress prize. If we observe this entire award season, the best actress award has gone to either Cate Blanchett or Michelle Yeoh. And without much of a surprise, the BAFTA for Leading Actress has gone to Cate Blanchett for her exceptional performance in “Tar.”
Leading Actor
Six actors were nominated for the best actor prize at BAFTA. Among them were Austin Butler (“Elvis”), Colin Farrell (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”), Daryl McCormack (“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”), Paul Mescal (“Aftersun”), and Bill Nighy (“Living”). Colin Farrell and Brendan Fraser were the clear front-runners, but the BAFTA for Leading Actor went to Austin Butler.
Director
The nominees’ list for best director was very unconventional, as veteran director and this year’s Oscar nominee Steven Spielberg was not even nominated at the BAFTA. And even their winner is very unusual but a great pick. Among the six nominees were Edward Berger (“All Quiet on the Western Front”), Martin McDonagh (“The Banshees of Inisherin”), Park Chan-wook (“Decision to Leave”), Daniel Sheinert (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”), Todd Field (“Tar”), and Gina Prince-Bythewood (“The Woman King”). Daniels and McDonagh were the favorites to win, but Edward Berger bagged the BAFTA for Best Director.
Best Film Not In English Language
Without much of a surprise, “All Quiet on the Western Front” won this category at the BAFTA, beating the likes of other nominees such as “Argentina 1985,” “Corsage,” “Decision to Leave,” and “The Quiet Girl.”
Best Supporting Actor
The supporting actor category was the most interesting one. Ke Huy Quan from “Everything Everywhere All At Once” won this category at almost all the award shows. But BAFTA gave their prize for “Best Supporting Actor” to Barry Keoghan for his performance in “The Banshees of Inisherin.”
Best Supporting Actress
This category also saw a big upset and brought some controversy with it as well. Angela Bassett from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ” was the clear front-runner in this category, winning almost every award show this year. But the BAFTA went to Kerry Condon for her supporting role in “The Banshees of Inisherin.” Although she is a very deserving winner, her win brought controversy that the “BAFTA is too white.”
Costume Design
It’s always been a tussle between Baz Luhrman’s “Elvis” and Damien Chazelle’s “Babylon” in this category throughout this award season. Eventually, the BAFTA went to “Elvis”.
Sound
Despite being the front-runner, “Top Gun Maverick” lost to “All Quiet on the Western Front” in the sound category at the BAFTA.
Original Score
Oscar-winning composer Justin Hurwitz was the favorite to win this category for his exceptional score for “Babylon.” But the Original Score Award was bagged by “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
Special Visual Effect
If there is one category that has seen a consistent winner, it is visual effects. With the release of “Avatar: The Way of Water,” there is no chance left for any of the other nominees to win.
Makeup And Hair
“The Batman” and “The Whale” used incredible make-up and prosthetics. “Elvis” was also one of the top contenders. And the BAFTA went to “Elvis.”
Production Design
The nominees for Best Production Design were “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Babylon,” “The Batman,” “Elvis,” and “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.” And the BAFTA award was given to “Babylon.”
Original Screenplay
It is one of the top categories of any award show. In this year’s BAFTA, the screenplay nominees were “The Banshees of Inisherin”, “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and “Triangle of Sadness.” The BAFTA was awarded to Martin McDonagh for “The Banshees of Inisherin.”