LONDON (AP) — The thrilling film “Conclave” stood out as a victor at the 78th British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, where the innovative musical “Emilia Pérez” demonstrated its resilience as an award contender despite facing backlash that had initially cast doubts on its success. “Conclave” received nominations in 12 categories, including best picture, best director for Edward Berger, and best actor for Ralph Fiennes, who portrayed a cardinal leading a group of scheming clergy in the election of a new pope. Prior to the presentation of these awards, “Conclave” was honored as outstanding British film and also secured prizes for editing and adapted screenplay. On the other hand, “Emilia Pérez” garnered 11 nominations, with director Jacques Audiard being recognized for best director. The film clinched the award for best non-English language film. Lead actress nominee Karla Sofía Gascón, playing the transgender ex-cartel boss in “Emilia Pérez,” was absent from the ceremony amid controversy surrounding her social media posts. Despite this, the film, which has received 13 Oscar nominations, continues to garner accolades. Audiard expressed pride in the film and thanked the cast, including Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez. Saldaña, who played a significant role in the film, was honored as best supporting actress. The ceremony, graced by stars such as Cynthia Erivo and Hugh Grant, served as a precursor to the upcoming Academy Awards, offering a glimpse into the unpredictable awards season. The event, hosted by Scottish actor David Tennant, featured a lively singalong to The Proclaimers’ hit song “I’m Gonna be (500 Miles).” Notable winners included Kieran Culkin for best supporting actor and Jesse Eisenberg for best original screenplay. The race for best picture remains competitive, with films like “The Brutalist,” “A Complete Unknown,” and “Anora” vying for the top spot. Leading actors such as Adrien Brody, Ralph Fiennes, and Timothée Chalamet are also in contention for prestigious awards, adding further excitement to the upcoming ceremonies.
Stan was praised for his portrayal of a young Donald Trump in “The Apprentice.” He is also an Oscar nominee and expressed his gratitude for the recognition he received for the film. Initially facing challenges in finding an American distributor, the movie delves into an origins story focusing on Trump’s complex relationship with power broker Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. Stan described the movie as a “fair” depiction of the president, despite being warned that it was a thankless job with no potential for success.
Among the best-actress nominees are Gascón, Demi Moore for the body-horror film “The Substance,” Mikey Madison for “Anora,” Ronan for “The Outrun,” Erivo for “Wicked,” and Marianne Jean-Baptiste for the Mike Leigh drama “Hard Truths.” Notably, Erivo or Jean-Baptiste could become the first non-white performer to win the leading actress BAFTA award.
The animated caper “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” secured awards for the best animated feature and best family and children’s film categories. The sci-fi epic “Dune: Part Two” received recognition for its sound and visual effects, while “The Brutalist” won for its exceptional cinematography and musical score. The musical “Wicked” triumphed in the costume and production design categories.
In a bid to enhance diversity, Britain’s film academy implemented changes in 2020, addressing the lack of female nominees for best director for seven consecutive years and the absence of diversity among the acting nominees. Winners are predominantly chosen by the 8,000 members of the U.K. academy, with the Rising Star Award being the sole category determined by public vote from a list of nominees. This year’s Rising Star contenders include Mikey Madison, Marisa Abela, Jharrel Jerome, David Jonsson, and Nabhaan Rizwan.
Esteemed actor Warwick Davis, known for his roles in “Willow” and “Return of the Jedi,” will be honored with the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship for his remarkable screen career and efforts towards fostering inclusivity in the film industry. BAFTA chairwoman Sara Putt extended a message of resilience to those affected by the recent Los Angeles wildfires. Jamie Lee Curtis, a nominee for supporting actress in “The Last Showgirl,” could not attend due to filming delays caused by the fires. If Curtis wins, her co-star Pamela Anderson will accept the award on her behalf.
This year’s ceremony lacked the usual royal presence, with neither Prince William nor his wife Kate in attendance. The awards coincided with the school holidays for their three children. The event was broadcast on BBC in the United Kingdom and BritBox in North America, commencing at 1900 GMT (2 p.m. EST).
___Hilary Fox contributed to this story.___
This story has been corrected to reflect that the Academy Awards are scheduled for March 2, not March
