2018 BAFTA Nominations: Everything You Need To Know

With award season in full swing, the 2018 BAFTA nominations have been announced!  Here’s everything you need to know before watching the show.

1. The announcement of the 2018 BAFTA nominations officially begin the 2018 UK awards season.

Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer and Avengers: Infinity War actress Letitia Wright announced the 2018 BAFTA nominations this morning at BAFTA’s London Piccadilly headquarters. These two lovely actresses read off the shortlist and it quickly went viral.

2. Who is nominated?

Actors to watch this year are Annette Bening and Daniel Day-Lewis. Bening is up for Best Actress for her performance in Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, which will be her 4^th BAFTA nomination.  Day-Lewis has ranked in his 7^th nomination for his role in Phantom Thread.  See the full list of nominees here.

3. Films to watch.

Shape of Water is looking to steal the show with 12(!) nominations.  Not far behind are The Darkest Hour and 3 Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.  Give these films a watch before the big night to stay up-to-date with all the hype!

4. Once again… no female directors are recognised.

For the 5^th year in a row, we are seeing no females nominated for Best Director.  There is a lot of discussion that Greta Gerwig deserved the best Director nomination for Lady Bird.  Even though Lady Bird won Best Film at the Golden Globes last Sunday, she was overlooked for Best Director there too.  Looks like the BAFTA’s may need Natalie Portman to come call out the lack of female repesentation…

5. What the hell does “BAFTA” even mean?

BAFTA stands for the British Academy of Film and Television arts.  The BAFTA is a charity promoting and developing the creation of film and television within the UK.  This will be the 71^st season the charity has held an award ceremony, and the 2018 BAFTA nominations are sure to make history.

6. Move over Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley is hosting this year!

After 12 years of hosting, Stephen Fry is stepping down to let Joanna Lumley take the hosting throne this year.  Joanna Lumley, most known for her role of Patsy Stone on BBC’s Absolutely Famous, will be the first female host since 2001.  At 71, Lumley is still fit and fabulous, and we cannot WAIT to see her slay the hosting game.

7. Give the people a voice!

Although the 2018 BAFTA nominees and winners are routinely chosen by the 6,500 BAFTA members, there is one award that the public gets to decide on: the EE Rising Star Award.  The nominees this year are Daniel Kaluuya (favored to win), Josh O’Connor, Florence Pugh, Tessa Thomson, Timothée Chalamet, and Tessa Thomson.  Vote here for your favourite 2018 rising star!

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8. Where to watch.

The 71st annual BAFTA awards will be broadcasted on BBC One on the 18^th of February 2018.  Those lucky enough to watch it live will be watching from London’s Royal Albert Hall, but don’t worry.  If your invite got lost in the mail, you can watch cuddled up in bed from the BBC livestream on your laptop or phone!

The 2018 BAFTA nominations are looking pretty competitive… who do you think is going to take home the best awards of the night?  Let us know in the comments below!

Featured image source: We Heart It