• Papal thriller "Conclave" leads the 2025 BAFTA nominations with 12 nods.
• "Emilia Pérez" closely follows with 11 nominations.
• Other major contenders include "Wicked" and "A Complete Unknown."
• The awards ceremony is set for February 16 at London's Royal Festival Hall.
• The results will provide hints for the upcoming Oscars on March 2.

LONDON − The papal thriller "Conclave" has taken the spotlight at the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards, leading the nominations with a remarkable 12 nods for the prestigious British film honors. The film, which explores the intrigues of scheming cardinals as they deliberate on the next pope, is in contention for best film, best director for Edward Berger, and best leading actor for Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes portrays the dean of the College of Cardinals, facing the daunting task of overseeing the electoral process.

Notably, Isabella Rossellini received a nomination for best supporting actress for her role as a nun in the film, which is adapted from Robert Harris' novel.

Trailing closely behind, “Emilia Pérez”, a vibrant mashup of musical, crime, and comedy genres, garnered 11 nominations. This Spanish-language production features Zoe Saldaña in the leading role as a lawyer who assists a drug cartel leader, portrayed by Karla Sofía Gascón, in faking his death and undergoing a gender transition. Gascón's powerful performance earned her a leading actress nomination, while both Saldaña and Selena Gomez, who plays the drug lord's wife, received nominations in the supporting actress category.

This year's competition features additional remarkable films, including the musical adaptation of "Wicked," which secured seven nominations, and the Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown," which received six nominations, putting it in contention for the top prize of best film as well. Other contenders include "The Brutalist," shedding light on a Hungarian immigrant's journey post-World War II, and "Anora," which follows a young exotic dancer embroiled with a Russian oligarch's son.

The BAFTA Film Awards will take place on February 16 at the Royal Festival Hall in London, hosted by David Tennant for the second consecutive year. As the UK’s counterpart to the Academy Awards, the BAFTA results will be closely monitored for indications of potential Oscar wins on March 2.