The British Academy of Film and Television Awards are only around a month away, and this 70th edition is a promising one. Film and television are seeing more and more phenomenal productions and actors that result in astonishing talent every year.
Potential Big Winners
After the amazing victory at the Golden Globes, La La Land (2016) is expected to win more than the record-breaking seven Golden Globes it justly received. Both a BAFTA and an Oscar potential winner, the film is being hailed by the critics for Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s performance. Both actors are nominated for Leading Actress and Leading Actor awards, with the film amassing an impressive 11 nominations at the BAFTAs.
Moonlight (2016) is considered to be La La Land’s strongest competitor, even though it received only four BAFTA nominations. After winning Best Motion Picture (Drama) at the Golden Globes, its chances of receiving a BAFTA for Best Film are very high.
Another strong competitor for Best Film is Manchester by the Sea (2016), a drama about an uncle looking after his nephew after the boy’s father passes away, has received universal praise for its well-rounded characters and story, driving it to the place of potential big winner at the BAFTA awards.
Tough Competition
Although predicted as a winner, La La Land might see the awards go to Arrival (2016) instead. The sci-fi film was well-received by the critics and hailed as an original and emotional film that drives thought and presents the genre in a refreshing way. Amy Adams is also nominated for the Leading Actress award, and the film for other eight awards.
Nocturnal Animals (2016) has also received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, earning nine BAFTA nominations that could see it become a strong Oscars competitor. Based on the 1993 novel Tony and Susan, it’s been nominated for awards such as the Golden Globes, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the Writers Guild of America, among others.
Surprising Snubs
The 12-time award winning film American Honey (2016) was expected to be nominated for several categories but was, unfortunately, only nominated for Outstanding British Film. The surprising lack of numerous nominations, however, hasn’t seemed to change the positive reception the film received.
Following the earlier Golden Globes disappointment, Martin Scorsese’s Silence (2016) also failed to receive any BAFTA nominations in spite of its positive criticism. Clint Eastwood’s Sully (2016) was praised for its acting and directing, but it also failed to receive any BAFTA nominations.
