After the Golden Globes was heavily criticised for its lack of diversity, many hoped that the BAFTA nominations would take a different path.
This comes after 2017’s sexual misconduct allegations rocked the Golden Globes ceremony in a big way – with stars dressing in black on the red carpet, wearing badges for the Time’s Up campaign and some actresses bringing along female activists as their dates.
However, nominations for the the 2018 EE British Academy Film Awards were announced today and have been accused of being too white and male. You can read all the nominations here.
There isn’t a single female nomination in the Director category – just like at the Golden Globes, (which Natalie Portman was quick to point out at the weekend’s Golden Globes ceremony, as she went onstage to announce the winner, saying, “Here are the all male nominees”.)
Looking at the #EEBAFTAs director category like pic.twitter.com/JmRRnkNkZZ
— Courtney Pochin (@courtneypochin) January 9, 2018
280 characters isn't nearly enough space for me to rant about the #BAFTAs noms – seriously, Denis Villeneuve??!? – so I'm just gonna ask what we're all wondering… Does anyone know whether Natalie Portman is available to announce the Best Director prize at this awards show too?
— James McAllister (@jamesmca90) January 9, 2018
Can think of at least 3 FEMALE directors who could have been in that category: Greta Gerwig, Kathryn Bigelow, Dee Rees – huh #BAFTAs ??? https://t.co/yOOOaU0C2L
— amber (@endofnightx) January 9, 2018
The official BAFTA Twitter account responded to one user saying: “The reality is only 16% of director entries were women this year, which makes noms that much harder to achieve. So we’re thrilled for the nominated female directors in Doc, Debut and FNIEL categories but completely agree more has to be done.”
Hi Georgina, we're not ignoring it. The reality is only 16% of Director entries were women this year, which makes noms that much harder to achieve. So we're thrilled for the nominated female directors in Doc, Debut & FNIEL categories but completely agree more has to be done
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) January 9, 2018
It’s also been noted that the nominees for Supporting Actor and Leading Actress are all white.
Nominees for Supporting Actor include Christopher Plummer (All the Money in the World), Hugh Grant (Paddington 2), Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Willem Dafoe (The Florida Project) and Woody Harrelson (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri).
Margot Robbie (I, Tonya), Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water), Frances McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird) and Annette Bening (Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool) are all up for Leading Actress.
All white nominees ✅ #EEBAFTAs https://t.co/T77xLv4nCq
— Tufayel Ahmed (@tufayel) January 9, 2018
Deeply depressed by the unimaginative #EEBAFTAs nominations. Best Director? 5 white men. Best British Film? 5 white men. Why was Get Out snubbed? Ladybird? I am not a Witch? In light of Oprah Winfrey's speech about the power of representation yesterday, this is very troubling.
— Amrou Al-Kadhi ? (@Glamrou) January 9, 2018
This all comes after the BAFTAs announced they had changed their criteria at the end of 2016, to encourage diversity. Films hoping to compete in the Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer categories at the awards now have to show that they’ve made an effort to use diverse talent both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, and in their narrative.
The admission policy for judges was also changed, meaning applicants no longer had to have two recommendations from current members, so talent without as many connections could stand a chance.
Last week BAFTA chief Amanda Perrie announced that next month’s ceremony would “shine a very bright spotlight” on the sexism scandal that has engulfed Hollywood, saying that winners wouldn’t be silenced in their acceptance speeches.
Last year, host Sue Perkins took the opportunity to highlight sexism in the industry, making references to it throughout the ceremony.
“I know what you’re thinking. Not another woman hosting an awards show, when will it end?” she said, when she took to the stage.
“I find it a little like Halley’s Comet, just a little less frequent.”
The EE British Academy Film Awards take place on Sunday February 18 at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Stephen Fry recently stepped down as BAFTA host after 12 years, and will be replaced by Joanna Lumley.