The nominations for the 2020 BAFTA awards were released this morning (January 7), and the reaction among some fans and critics has been of disappointment.
While Joker leads proceedings with 11 nominations, a number of titles, including Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir (which was expected to be a frontrunner for female-led British talent), were absent from the shortlist.
Those disappointed have been quick to point out the apparent lack of diversity across every acting category, and the fact that no women were nominated for Best Director.
Freelance film critic Guy Lodge tweeted: “An all-white slate of acting nominees, in this of all years. BAFTA, this is not good enough.”
An all-white slate of acting nominees, in this of all years. BAFTA, this is not good enough.
— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge) January 7, 2020
Jamie Graham, Editor-At-Large for Total Film, echoed Lodge’s sentiments by highlighting the women who were snubbed from this year’s awards despite critical acclaim since their release.
Delighted that BAFTA nominated Jessie Buckley for Best Actress. But all goodwill is drained by the absence of Awkwafina, Lupita Nyong’o, Jennifer Lopez and Joanna Hogg, whose exemplary The Souvenir hasn’t even been nominated in the Best British Film category! Very poor show.
— Jamie Graham (@jamie_graham9) January 7, 2020
“All goodwill is drained by the absence of Awkwafina, Lupita Nyong’o, Jennifer Lopez and Joanna Hogg, whose exemplary The Souvenir hasn’t even been nominated in the Best British Film category!” Graham posted. “Very poor show.”
Freelance film critic Hanna Flint also pointed out the disappointing lack of diversity, tweeting a shortlist of actresses who could have been considered.
These women of colour deserve your recognition:
Jennifer Lopez – Hustlers
Awkwafina – The Farewell
Lupita Nyong'o – Us
Octavia Spencer – Luce
Zhao Shuzhen – The Farewell#BAFTASoWhite #EEBAFTAs— Hanna Ines Flint (@HannaFlint) January 7, 2020
The absence of Lupita Nyong’o, tipped to win big this awards season for her lead performance in Jordan Peele’s Us, was also a talking point following the shortlist announcement this morning (January 7).
No Lupita Nyong'o is a really bad look for #BAFTA, who have never given Denzel Washington a win. https://t.co/BcXRDylyoX
— Emma (@emmabung) January 7, 2020
This year’s nominees include both Margot Robbie and Scarlett Johansson, who are up for two awards each, while Waad Al-Kateab’s documentary For Sama earns a handful of nominations as well.
1917, which performed strongly at the Golden Globes over the weekend, is up for nine awards. Both Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino can also expect to win big, as The Irishman and Once Upon A Time… in Hollywood racked up nine and 10 nods respectively.
See more reactions from this morning’s announcement below:
“I am BAFTA the White” pic.twitter.com/IzqmHoiFtn
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) January 7, 2020
Here BAFTA, you forgot something pic.twitter.com/sN44T9e4Mz
— Pamela Hutchinson (@PamHutch) January 7, 2020
BAFTA is the clueless, ageing in-law who buys you a Paolo Nutini CD for Christmas because they heard you “like music”.
— David Jenkins (@daveyjenkins) January 7, 2020
Me looking at the BAFTA nominations pic.twitter.com/0sS4H0beaa
— ?????? (@lvnawinters) January 7, 2020
Actually wasn’t expecting that from BAFTA. Some great individual noms across the categories but this year doesn’t get any better for female filmmakers or POC #BAFTA
— Terri White (@Terri_White) January 7, 2020
BAFTA calling on “the industry” to be more diverse pic.twitter.com/2JRZsuBR3G
— amil (@amil) January 7, 2020
This year’s British Academy Film Awards will take place on February 2 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Graham Norton is on hosting duties.