• Conclave leads the nominations with 12 nods, closely followed by Emilia Pérez, which received 11.
• Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña received their first Bafta nominations for their roles in Emilia Pérez.
• Timothée Chalamet and Adrien Brody are nominated for lead actor, while Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore are in the running for lead actress.
• Brady Corbet and Coralie Fargeat received nominations for Best Director, showcasing new talent.
• This year's Bafta nominations are likely reflective of the upcoming Oscars.

The Bafta Film Awards nominations set the stage for the 2025 awards season, with the highly anticipated shortlists revealing a fierce competition. Leading the charge is Conclave, a gripping portrayal of a secretive gathering of cardinals in Rome, which has garnered a remarkable 12 nominations. Following closely behind, the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez, featuring Selena Gomez in a standout role, has secured 11 nominations and is a strong contender for overall success.

The acting categories showcase an exciting mix of established stars and rising talents. In the race for Best Actress, Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore are recognized for their remarkable performances, while Best Actor nominations go to Timothée Chalamet and Adrien Brody. Interestingly, notable contenders like Denzel Washington and Daniel Craig missed out on nominations for their roles in Gladiator II and Queer, respectively, creating a buzz about the unpredictable nature of this year's shortlists.

The supporting categories pose potential surprises as well, with nominees such as Jamie Lee Curtis for her role in The Last Showgirl making the cut, albeit with the main actress, Pamela Anderson, notably absent from nominations.

This year's nominees also reflect a broad range of films, including The Brutalist and Anora, each receiving significant recognition with nine and seven nominations, respectively. These films delve into compelling narratives, from a Hungarian architect’s post-war journey to a whirlwind romance between a New York sex worker and a wealthy heir.

A milestone in the nominations process is the presence of six first-time directors, such as Brady Corbet for The Brutalist and Coralie Fargeat for The Substance, the latter showcasing a unique perspective as the only female nominee in that category. This shift alters the landscape of traditional awards and highlights the growing diversity within Hollywood.

Bafta's nominations are often seen as an indicator of the Oscars, which will occur shortly after the Bafta ceremony on February 16, 2025. Last year, the award winners from both ceremonies matched in the top six categories, raising the stakes for aspiring nominees this year. With films like A Complete Unknown—highly praised for its depiction of Bob Dylan—and the richly crafted Dune: Part Two also in the mix, it will be fascinating to see which films emerge victorious.

In a year that has seen unusual dynamics in nominations, including a dedicated category for Children’s and Family films, the excitement surrounding the awards continues to grow. The revealing of nominations this Wednesday is poised to captivate audiences and shape conversations leading into the main ceremony, making it a pivotal moment in the cinematic calendar.

For more details about the nominations and to see the full list, check out the original articles from the BBC and BBC.