British Academy Film Awards
| British Academy Film Awards | |
|---|---|
| Current: 74th British Academy Film Awards | |
| Awarded for | The best in film |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| First awarded | 29 May 1949 |
| Website | bafta.org |
The British Academy Film Awards are an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). It is the British equivalent of the Oscars.[1][2][3] As of 2008, it happens in the Royal Opera House, in London. Before, it was at the Odeon cinema in Leicester Square. The 65th British Academy Film Awards took place on 12 February 2012.
History
[change | change source]BAFTA was formed in 1947 as The British Film Academy, by David Lean, Alexander Korda, Carol Reed, Charles Laughton, Roger Manvell and others. In 1958, the academy merged with The Guild of Television Producers and Directors to form The Society of Film and Television. This became The British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 1976.
BAFTA is supported by a membership of around 6,000 people from the movie, television and video game industries.
The academy's awards are look like a theatrical mask. They were designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe in 1955.
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was the host of the ceremony as the first president of BAFTA in 1960,1963, and 1965.[4][5][6]
Princess Anne presented the first Fellowship Award to Alfred Hitchcock in 1971,[7][8] and later attended the ceremony several times as President of BAFTA between 1973 and 2001.[9][10][11]
William, Prince of Wales attended the ceremony for the first time in 2010 after being named president of BAFTA, and has attended frequently since, including together with Catherine, Princess of Wales.[12][13] He presented the BAFTA Fellowship award to Mel Brooks in 2017 and Kathleen Kennedy in 2020.[14][15]
Annual ceremony
[change | change source]
The ceremony used to take place in April or May. Starting in 2002 it takes place in February in order to be before the Oscars. The awards are mostly open to all nationalities. There is an award for "Outstanding British Film" and "Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Producer or Director". The Short Film and Short Animation awards are also only for UK movies.
The Awards ceremony is broadcast on British television on BBC One. In the US the show was previously broadcast with a delay on BBC America until 2021, after which it has broadcast live on streaming service BritBox until 2025.[16][17][18] In 2023, the BAFTA Film Awards included a live broadcasting of its major award categories during the final portion of the ceremony rather than a same day delay.[19] In 2026, the U.S. broadcast of the ceremony will be on E! with a delay.[20]
British Academy Awards of Merit
[change | change source]- Movies
- BAFTA Award for Best Film (since 1948)
- BAFTA Award for Best British Film (since 1948)
- BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Film (since 1948)
- BAFTA Award for Best Short Film (since 1980)
- BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film (since 2006)
- BAFTA Award for Best Documentary (1948-1989, 2012)
- Crew
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Retired awards
[change | change source]- BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay (awarded 1969-1983)
- BAFTA Award for Best British Screenplay (awarded 1955-1968)
British Academy Special Awards
[change | change source]- BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award (since 1971)
- Orange Rising Star Award (since 2006)
References
[change | change source]- ↑ BBC News | ENTERTAINMENT | Baftas fuel Oscars race
- ↑ British Academy of Film and Television Awards
- ↑ "Bafta Awards: Keira Knightley And Atonement Enjoy Mixed Luck As Daniel Day-Lewis Wins Best Actor". Archived from the original on 2020-06-09. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ↑ "Mar. 03, 1960 - Duke Of Edinburgh Presents Film Awards: H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, this evening presented the British Film Academy Awards, at a dinner at the Dorchaster Hotel, London. Photo shows. H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, talks with Mr Sam Spiegel, after presenting an award at the Dorchester tonight Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "Bafta Film Awards 2021: Ceremony pays tribute to first BAFTA president Prince Philip". uk.movies.yahoo.com. 2021-04-10. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "Michael Birkett with Peter Finch presents Margaret Furse with the..." Getty Images. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "Search Results". catalogue.royalalberthall.com. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "Film Society to Toast Hitchcock". The New York Times. 1974-01-18. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "Search Results". catalogue.royalalberthall.com. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "Princess Anne arriving at the BAFTA Film and Television Awards at the..." Getty Images. 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "BAFTA Princess Royal Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "Bafta Awards 2010: Prince William makes his debut as the president of the Baftas". The Telegraph. 2010-02-21. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ McTaggart, India (2024-02-18). "Prince William says he's watched fewer Bafta films this year as Kate recovers from surgery". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "Mel Brooks' BAFTA speech will definitely make you laugh". Digital Spy. 2017-02-13. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ "Prince William shares 'frustration' over lack of diversity during Baftas speech". The Independent. 2020-02-03. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
- ↑ Rosen, Christopher (2021-03-09). "When are the BAFTA Awards? Everything to know about the 2021 BAFTAs". GoldDerby. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
- ↑ Ritman, Alex (2022-02-28). "BritBox Lands Exclusive Rights to 2022 BAFTA Film Awards for North America". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
- ↑ Yossman, K. J. (2024-02-08). "BritBox Inks New Deal to Stream BAFTA Film, TV Awards Internationally Through 2025 (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
- ↑ "The Strictly shuffle: Baftas shake things up with new TV format as awards go live". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
- ↑ White, Peter (2026-02-02). "BAFTA Film Awards Move To E! From BritBox In U.S." Deadline. Retrieved 2026-02-02.