Bafta Film Awards 2025: New categories and⁣ voting changes

The ⁢BAFTA Film‌ Awards are gearing‍ up for 2025 with a ⁣slew of exciting changes, including a brand-new category and a revamped points system for determining the eligibility of outstanding British films. These updates aim to make the awards more inclusive and‍ reflective of ‌the diverse⁣ talent in the film ‍industry.

Celebrating family films

Starting next year, the BAFTA Film Awards will introduce a new category: best children’s and family film. This marks the first new category in five years and aims to honor films that appeal to inter-generational audiences. The award will highlight the essential creative contributions of the children’s media sector, celebrating films that bring families together. For those interested⁢ in exploring potential nominees, check out the latest family film trailers.

Revamping British film eligibility

The rules for the outstanding British film category are ⁤also ⁤undergoing significant changes. A new points ‌system will be introduced ⁢to determine a movie’s eligibility. This ⁢system will ⁤consider various‍ criteria, including‌ the nationality of the candidates for nomination, key department ‍heads, ⁣and cast. It will‍ also ‌take into account co-productions, the BFI cultural test, setting, source material, and the new ‌Independent Film Tax Credit.

Moreover, the voting process for‌ this‌ category will now involve all BAFTA ‌film voters starting at the longlist stage, aligning it with‍ the voting process for best film. The top five films from the 15 longlisted will automatically be nominated, with a jury determining the remaining⁤ five nominations.

Changes in directing and performance ‌categories

Another significant update is ‌the phasing out⁢ of ⁤nominating juries in the directing and performance categories. Starting next year, BAFTA’s directing chapter will be responsible for determining the category’s longlist‌ and nominations in their entirety. The longlist will be reduced from 16 films⁤ to 11, aligning with other major categories. However, the gender parity intervention introduced in 2020 will remain⁢ in place.

The performance categories, which include leading actress and actor and supporting actress and actor, will be determined by a combination of jury, ⁤chapter, and all film member voting. The longlists will continue‌ to be determined ⁣by ⁣BAFTA’s acting chapter and a longlisting jury, but all nominations will now be decided entirely by the acting chapter.

Expanded⁢ theatrical requirements and ⁣documentary ⁢definition

The updated rulebook ‌also includes expanded ⁤theatrical ⁢requirements ⁢for the ⁣ best film category. Contenders must now be theatrically exhibited for the first time on at⁤ least 50 screens⁤ in the U.K. for at least seven days, equivalent to 350 screenings. The previous mandate was 10 screenings per day for seven days.

The definition of what ⁢qualifies as a ‌ documentary has also been tweaked. A documentary is now defined as⁣ a predominantly‍ non-fiction ‍film intended for theatrical release. It can include animation, archive footage, stills, stock footage, stop-motion, re-enactment, and other ⁣techniques. However, dramatized factual subjects will not qualify. Voters ⁢will be asked to opt-in to the documentary chapter afresh, ‌with a ‌jury determining three out of⁢ five ⁢nominees, and all voters selecting the winner.

Animation and non-English-language film categories

In the ‍ animation and non-English-language film categories,⁣ voters are also being asked to opt-in ‍afresh to determine the longlist and‌ nominees. All film voters will ⁣now determine the winners, as ⁣opposed to the chapter.

Screenplay and short animation updates

Screenwriters with “story by” credits will now be included as named nominees in the screenplay category.⁢ Additionally, a new qualifying ‌festivals list for the British short animation category will be introduced.

Reflecting on the changes

Reflecting on⁢ these changes, it’s clear that BAFTA is committed to leveling the playing field for talented creatives⁢ in the screen arts. ‌The impact of⁣ these ‍changes ⁢over the past four ‌years has been significant, with more BAFTA voters watching more films than ever before ‌and more women directors being nominated. The‍ membership is‍ now more diverse, better representing the talented people in the⁢ industry.