Due to the ongoing and devastating wildfires that have swept through Los Angeles, several U.S. awards shows and nomination announcements have faced significant delays or restructuring. In a notable contrast, England’s prestigious BAFTA Film Awards proceeded with their scheduled announcement of nominations on Wednesday morning, January 15. This highlights the resilience of the film community and its commitment to recognizing outstanding achievements in cinema, even amidst challenging circumstances.

One of the standout films receiving multiple nominations is the musical drug drama Emilia Pérez, which achieved an impressive total of 11 nominations. This includes coveted categories such as best film, best director, and best leading actress, recognizing the extraordinary talent of Golden Globe winner Karla Sofía Gascón. Additionally, the film also shines a spotlight on its supporting cast, with nominations for renowned stars Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña in the supporting actress category, showcasing the film’s strong ensemble performance and storytelling.

Another notable contender is the highly anticipated first part of Wicked, which secured seven nominations. These nominations include best leading actress for Globe nominee Cynthia Erivo and best supporting actress for pop sensation Ariana Grande. Furthermore, the film received nominations in various technical categories including costume design, hair and makeup, production design, sound, and special visual effects. However, despite its commercial success, this reimagining of the Wizard of Oz-inspired Broadway musical faced setbacks, as it was notably excluded from key categories such as best film, best director, and best adapted screenplay, raising discussions around the film’s reception and impact.

For both Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez, this marks a significant milestone as the BAFTA nominations are their first in this prestigious awards ceremony. Their nominations highlight the increasing recognition of talents who have transitioned from music to acting, showcasing the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, where artists are crossing over into multiple creative domains and receiving accolades for their diverse contributions.

The film that garnered the highest number of nominations this year is the intense Vatican thriller Conclave, which impressively received a total of 12 nominations. Following closely is the post-WWII epic The Brutalist, which secured nine nominations. Additionally, the stripper drama Anora and the sci-fi blockbuster Dune: Part Two each received seven nominations. Bob Dylan’s biopic A Complete Unknown also made waves with six nominations, including best film, adapted screenplay, and leading actor for Timothée Chalamet, as well as supporting actor for Edward Norton, demonstrating its strong narrative and performances.

The charming Irish music comedy Kneecap also impressed with six nominations, which include outstanding British film and outstanding debut by a British writer, director, or producer for writer/director Rich Peppiatt. The film’s original screenplay nomination further emphasizes its unique storytelling approach, illustrating the blend of humor and culture that resonates with audiences and critics alike.

Amidst these exciting nominations, the film industry has faced numerous postponements due to the catastrophic wildfires that have tragically claimed 25 lives and scorched over 14,000 acres. This includes the rescheduling of the Critics Choice Awards, granting an extra week for Academy members to cast their votes for this year’s Oscars, and delaying the announcement of nominations until January 23. Furthermore, major label events surrounding this year’s Grammy Awards have been canceled, reflecting the widespread impact of the natural disaster on the entertainment calendar.

In response to the ongoing devastation in Los Angeles, BAFTA film chair Sara Putt expressed deep concern for those affected by the wildfires, which are noted as the worst in the city’s history. In an interview with Variety, she conveyed that the British Academy’s thoughts are “very, very much” with everyone impacted by this crisis. “It’s a dreadful, dreadful time,” she stated, while also mentioning that the BAFTAs have yet to determine if they will adjust the schedule for the final voting rounds. The BAFTA Film Awards ceremony is currently set to take place on February 16 at London’s Royal Festival Hall, a significant event that will honor the best in film.

For those interested in the complete details, you can check out the full list of nominations for the 2025 BAFTA awards here.