Everything you need to know before the Bafta Film Awards
Hollywood stars are in London for the Bafta Film Awards, as an unpredictable awards season finally begins to take shape
Pope selection drama Conclave leads the Bafta field with 12 nominations, including best film and best actor for its British star Ralph Fiennes.Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez has 11 nominations, but recently saw its awards chances damaged after offensive historic tweets from its star resurfaced.
For months, there has been no consensus on what will ultimately win best picture at the Oscars on 2 March, with as many as six films having a possible path to victory.
The race narrowed last week, however, when Cannes Film Festival winner Anora, about a New York stripper who falls for the son of a wealthy Russian, leapt ahead after a string of precursor wins.The film took the top prizes at the Critics Choice Awards (CCA) as well as two major guild ceremonies considered key Oscars indicators - the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards. The winners at the Baftas could be the strongest indication yet of who will triumph at the Oscars. Last year, the winners of the top six categories matched up perfectly between the two ceremonies.
The films with the most Bafta nominations:12 nominations - Conclave
11 - Emilia Pérez
9 - The Brutalist
7 - Anora, Dune: Part Two, Wicked
6 - A Complete Unknown, Kneecap
5 - Nosferatu, The Substance
The Bafta Film Awards ceremony starts GMT, two hours before its broadcast , which means winners will be reported in the news and on social media before being seen on television
