In a precursor of the Academy Awards in the United States, The British Film Academy held their annual BAFTA Awards on February 18.  The Christopher Nolan film “Oppenheimer” was the big winner of the night; taking home seven awards, including the top awards.  “Poor Things” and “The Zone of Interest” were also multiple award winners.

“Oppenheimer” was up for 13 film nominations to lead list of nominees.  While taking home seven trophies, the film fell a little short of the record nine awards won by “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” back in 1971.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph added to her collection of trophies for her role in “The Holdovers”.

Despite multiple nominations; “Killers of the Flower Moon”, Maestro”, “Saltburn”, “All of Us Strangers” and the top grossing movie of the year “Barbie” failed to garner any wins.

David Tennant from “Doctor Who” hosted the gala event that was attended by BAFTA President His Royal Highness Prince William.

The Rising Star award is the only trophy selected by the fans; this year that honour went to Mia McKenna-Bruce for her role in “How to Have Sex”.

Film curator June Givanni of the June Givanni PanAfrican Cinema Archive was presented with the Outstanding British for her contributions to the cinema.

Actress Samantha Morton was presented with the highest award of the night – the BAFTA Fellowship.

2024BAFTA Winners:
Best Film: “Oppenheimer”
Outstanding British Film: “The Zone of Interest”
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer: Savanah Leaf for “Earth Mama”
Best Film Not in the English Language: “The Zone of Interest”
Best Documentary: “20 Days in Mariupol”
Best Animated Film: “The Boy and the Heron”
Best Director: Christopher Nolan for “Oppenheimer”
Best Original Screenplay: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari for “Anatomy of a Fall”
Best Adapted Screenplay: Cord Jefferson for “American Fiction”
Leading Actress: Emma Stone in “Poor Things”
Leading Actor: Cillian Murphy in “Oppenheimer”
Best Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph in “The Holdovers”
Best Supporting Actor” Robert Downey Jr. in “Oppenheimer”
Best Original Score: Ludwig Goransson for “Oppenheimer”
Best Casting: Susan Shopmaker for “The Holdovers”
Best Cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema for “Oppenheimer”
Best Editing” Jennifer Lame for “Oppenheimer”
Best Production Design: Shona Heath, James Price, and Zsuzsa Mihalek for “Poor Things”
Best Costume Design: Holly Waddington for “Poor Things”
Best in Make Up and Hair: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, and Josh Weston for “Poor Things”
Best in Sound: Johnnie Burn and Tarn Willers for “The Zone of Interest”
Best in Special Visual Effects: Tim Barter, Simon Hughes, Dean Koonjul, and Jane Paton for “Poor Things”
Best in British Short Animation: “Crab Day”
Best in British Short Film: “Jellyfish and Lobster”