The British Academy Film Awards, more commonly known as the BAFTA Awards, is an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) to honour the best British and international contributions to film. The ceremonies were initially held at the flagship Odeon Cinema in Leicester Square in London, before being held at the Royal Opera House from 2007 to 2016. From 2017 to 2022, the ceremony was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London before moving to the Royal Festival Hall for the 2023 ceremony. The statue awarded to recipients depicts a theatrical mask. The first BAFTA Awards ceremony was held in 1949, and the ceremony was first broadcast on the BBC in 1956 with Vivien Leigh as the host. The ceremony was initially held in April or May; since 2001, it typically takes place in February.

History

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) was founded in 1947 as The British Film Academy, by David Lean, Alexander Korda, Carol Reed, Charles Laughton, Roger Manvell, Laurence Olivier, Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell, Michael Balcon, and other major figures of the British film industry. In 1958, the Academy merged with The Guild of Television Producers and Directors to form The Society of Film and Television, which eventually became The British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 1976. The stated charitable purpose of BAFTA is to "support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners, and benefiting the public". In addition to high-profile awards ceremonies, BAFTA runs a year-round programme of educational events, including film screenings and tribute evenings. BAFTA is supported by a membership of about 6,000 people from the film, television, and video game industries. The Academy's awards are in the form of a theatrical mask designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe, in response to a commission from the Guild of Television Producers in 1955.

Annual ceremony

The ceremony previously took place in April or May, but since 2001 it has been held in February in order to precede the Academy Awards. Most of the awards are open to all nationalities, though there are awards for Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Producer or Director. Only UK films are eligible for the categories of The British Short Film and British Short Animation awards. During each annual ceremony, BAFTA pauses in memoriam to pay tribute to those in the industry who have died over the past 12 months, showcasing a montage of images accompanied by music.

Broadcast

The Awards ceremony has been historically delayed broadcast on British television the same evening, and across the world. The first broadcast was on the BBC in 1956, with Vivien Leigh (who would present an award to her husband Sir Laurence Olivier) as the host. It has been broadcast in colour since 1970. In the US it is broadcast on BBC America. In 2023, the BAFTA Film Awards included a live telecast for its major award categories during the culmination of the ceremony.

Location

The award ceremony is held in London. From 2000 to 2007, the ceremonies took place at the flagship Odeon Leicester cinema in Leicester Square. Between 2008 and 2016, the ceremonies took place at the Royal Opera House. The 70th Awards in 2017, and subsequent ceremonies up to the 75th Awards in 2022, were held at the Royal Albert Hall. For the 76th British Academy Film Awards in 2023, it was announced that the ceremony would be moved to the Royal Festival Hall as part of a new multi-year deal between BAFTA and the Southbank Centre, bringing the Film Awards in-line with the British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Games Awards, which were already held there.

Sponsorship

Until 2012, the mobile telephone network Orange sponsored the awards. Orange's parent company, EE, took over the sponsorship of the event from 2013.

Award categories

• BAFTA Award for Best Film: since 1948 • BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film: 1948–1968, 1992–present • BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language: since 1983 • BAFTA Award for Best Documentary: 1948–1989, 2012–present • BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film: since 2006 • BAFTA Award for Best Short Film: since 1980 • BAFTA Award for Best Short Animation: since 1990 • BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer: since 1998 • BAFTA Award for Best Direction: since 1968 • BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay: since 1984 • BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay: since 1984 • BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role: since 1968 • BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role: since 1968 • BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role: since 1969 • BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role: since 1969 • BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography: since 1969 • BAFTA Award for Best Editing: since 1968 • BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design: since 1969 • BAFTA Award for Best Production Design: since 1969 • BAFTA Award for Best Makeup and Hair: since 1983 • BAFTA Award for Best Original Music: since 1969 • BAFTA Award for Best Sound: since 1969 • BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects: since 1983 • BAFTA Award for Best Casting: since 2020 • BAFTA Rising Star Award: since 2006

Retired awards

Special awards

Superlatives

Acting

Note: Dench and Hoffman's tally of wins and nominations includes those received in the Most Promising Newcomer category.

Actors nominated twice in the same category in the same year

Nine actors have received dual nominations in the same category in a single year at the BAFTA Film Awards.

Directing

Directors nominated for multiple films in the same year

The only director to receive dual nominations in the same year at the BAFTA Film Awards was Steven Soderbergh for Erin Brockovich and Traffic in 2000. Additionally, Sidney Lumet received one joint nomination for Murder on the Orient Express and Serpico in 1974.

Other

Ceremonies