The very best of national and international talent will once again converge on London when the 76th annual British Academy Film Awards take place on Sunday evening.
But while a star-studded guest list is assured, the winners and losers among this year’s nominees remain maddeningly uncertain as the prestigious event draws ever closer.
Indeed, another year of top-drawer drama from the finest actors, directors and writers has generated a hotly contended debate over the soon-to-be established outcome.
Will Elvis leave its fellow Best Film nominees All Shook Up? Will Ana De Armas prove that blondes really do have more fun in the category for Best Actress? And will there be a ray of hope for Paul Mescal and one of the most warmly received British films of year?
The answers are not quite within reach, but fear not – MailOnline is here with its verdict on the biggest wins at this year’s show, so grab yourself some popcorn and take a seat.
This year’s winner? Martin McDonagh’s much fancied Irish drama The Banshees of Inisherin emerges as a strong favourite for Best Film at this year’s BAFTA Awards
BEST FILM – THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
Arguably the most significant category, this year’s Best Film is a five-way battle between Edward Berger’s All Quiet On The Western Front, Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees Of Inisherin, Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s Everything Everywhere All At Once and Todd Field’s Tár.
One could argue they are all worthy of success, but with this awards season already developing a familiar pattern of sorts the two frontrunners seem fairly obvious.
Indeed, Berger’s anti-war epic – based on the hard-hitting 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque – has won universal praise for its unflinching portrayal of life in the German trenches during the final days of World War I.
Best Film is one of an incredible fourteen nominations at this year’s ceremony – but in this category it may well narrowly miss out.
Instead, much fancied Irish drama The Banshees of Inisherin emerges as a strong favourite having already swept the board at the National Board Of Review, while picking up further accolades at the Golden Globes and London Film Critics’ Circle.
Watch this space.
Frontrunner: Cate Blanchett’s commendable performance as a renowned conductor accused of sexual abuse in Todd Field’s Tár makes her favourite for Best Actress
BEST ACTRESS – CATE BLANCHETT
A harder call, but Cate Blanchett’s commendable performance as a renowned conductor accused of sexual abuse in Field’s thought-provoking meditation on cancel culture is a strong favourite.
The actress has already picked up a Golden Globe and a London Film Critics’ Circle award for her leading role, and the smart money would be on her adding to that collection come Sunday night.
Blanchett’s position as favourite is perhaps aided by the strength of Field’s original screenplay – and the mixed response afforded some of her rivals.
Indeed, Ana de Armas – nominated for her portrayal of screen icon Marilyn Monroe in Blonde – is also in line to receive a not-so-prestigious Golden Raspberry for Worst Film at this year’s Razzie Awards.
Other nominees include Viola Davis in the critically acclaimed The Woman King, Danielle Deadwyler in Till, Dame Emma Thompson in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Good choice: Colin Farrellhas already scooped numerous awards, among them a Golden Globe, for his performance as Pádraic Súilleabháin – and he may well add to his collection on Sunday evening
BEST ACTOR – COLIN FARRELL
Only the bravest gambler would place a sizeable bet on this year’s Best Actor, but a cursory glance at the category’s six nominees and the overall strength of their respective films might give you a winning answer.
Austin Butler’s accomplished performance as rock and roll pioneer Elvis Presley in Elvis, Brendan Fraser’s morbidly obese teacher in The Whale, Daryl McCormack’s randy young sex worker in Good Luck to You, Leo Grande and Bill Nighy’s stunning portrayal of a senior bureaucrat battling terminal cancer in Living are all all valid competitors.
But Paul Mescal’s complex young father in Charlotte Wells’ hauntingly beautiful Aftersun and Colin Farrell’s standout performance in The Banshees of Inisherin have to be frontrunners for this award.
It’s almost impossible to pull them apart, but a recurring theme this season suggests it may well be Farrell’s year.
The actor has already scooped numerous awards, among them a Golden Globe, for his performance as Pádraic Súilleabháin in McDonough’s Irish tragicomedy – and he may well add to his collection on Sunday evening.
Popular: Frontrunner Brendan Gleeson has been named alongside co-star Barry Keoghan in the race for best Supporting Actor – but despite the competition he remains firm favourite to win the accolade
SUPPORTING ACTOR – BRENDAN GLEESON
With two nominations for The Banshees Of Inisherin in this category, one shouldn’t be surprised to see the film sweeping the board at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
Frontrunner Brendan Gleeson has been named alongside co-star Barry Keoghan in the race for best Supporting Actor – but despite the competition he remains firm favourite to win the accolade.
Other nominees include Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne for his portrayal of real life serial killer Charles Cullen in The Good Nurse, Key Huy Quan for Everything Everywhere All At Once, Micheal Ward for Empire Of Light and Albrecht Schuch for his sobering portrayal of a battle-scarred soldier in All Quiet On The Western Front.
Will there be a surprise on the night? Anything is possible.
Will she win? Jamie Lee and her portrayal of IRS inspector Deirdre Beaubeirdre in Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert absurdist comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once is frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress
SUPPORTING ACTRESS – JAMIE LEE CURTIS
This year Angela Bassett, Hong Chau, Kerry Condon, Dolly De Leon, Jamie Lee Curtis and Carey Mulligan will vie for yet another choice award on Sunday evening – but who comes out on top?
For us, Jamie Lee and her portrayal of IRS inspector Deirdre Beaubeirdre, and several other versions of Deirdre in alternate universes, in Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert absurdist comedy Everything Everywhere All At Once comes out on top.
Like Colin Farrell, another BAFTA favourite, the actress has already won plenty of recognition over the course of this awards season, with the role earning her numerous independent accolades – as well as a richly deserved Golden Globe nomination.
But don’t rule out her rivals – it could be a close call.
Nailed on? Outstanding British Film is a crowded category with no less than ten nominees, but for us there is already a clear winner – the majestic Aftersun
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM – AFTERSUN
A crowded category with no less than ten nominees, but for us there is already a clear winner – the majestic Aftersun.
The very talented Charlotte Wells’ directorial debut finds 11-year old Sophie on holiday with her father Callum at a budget Turkish resort ahead of his 31st birthday.
It’s a simple enough premise, but Wells and her carefully nuanced approach suggest all is not as it seems – and produces remarkable visual results in the process.
The film has won unanimous praise across the board, but while its award haul has so far been minimal, we expect it to snatch the BAFTA from fellow frontrunner The Banshees Of Inisherin.
Other nominees include Brian and Charles, Empire of Light, Good Luck to You Leo Grande, Living, Roald Dahl’s Matilda, See How They Run, The Swimmers and The Wonder.
Harrowing: Germany’s reboot of the famous anti-war classic All Quiet on the Western Front has already landed nine Oscar nominations, including best picture
FILM NOT IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE – ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
Germany’s harrowing reboot of the famous anti-war classic All Quiet on the Western Front has already landed nine Oscar nominations, including best picture, a haul that surprised its creators.
It is now up for no less than 14 BAFTA nominations, and best Film Not In A Foreign Language is among those it stands a more than realistic chance of winning come Sunday evening.
All Quiet on the Western Front tells the story of young students who go to World War One blinded by right-wing propaganda and nationalist hate, issues that arguably resonate with modern times.
Incredible: Another difficult call, but Edward Berger’s sweeping camerawork in All Quiet On The Western Front may well earn him a win for Best Director
DIRECTOR – EDWARD BERGER
Another difficult call, but Edward Berger’s sweeping camerawork in All Quiet On The Western Front may well earn him a win for Best Director.
The Netflix movie, the first German version of the epic 1929 novel by German author Erich Maria Remarque, is one of the most recognized films of the year, but the director faces stiff competition on the night.
Indeed, he Banshees of Inisherin director Martin McDonagh, Decision To Leave’s Park Chan-wook, Everything Everywhere All At Once directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Tar’s Todd Field and The Woman King’s Gina Prince-Bythewood have also been nominated.
Viewers in the UK can watch the show at 7pm on BBC One or iPlayer this Sunday.
International viewers should check out the BAFTA website for a list of channels and streaming services showing the ceremony outside the UK.
Coming soon: Viewers in the UK can watch the show at 7pm on BBC One or iPlayer this Sunday
BAFTA FILM AWARDS 2023: THE NOMINATIONS
BEST FILM
Acclaim: Netflix anti-war epic All Quiet On The Western Front
All Quiet On The Western Front
The Banshees of Inisherin
Elvis
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Tar
BEST ACTRESS
First nomination: Ana de Armas is up for Leading Actress
Cate Blanchett (Tar)
Viola Davis (The Woman King)
Danielle Deadwyler (Till)
Ana de Armas (Blonde)
Emma Thompson (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande)
Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once
BEST ACTOR
In the running: Austin Butler is up for Best Actor for his portrayal of Elvis
Austin Butler (Elvis)
Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin)
Brendan Fraser (The Whale)
Daryl McCormack (Good Luck To You, Leo Grande)
Paul Mescal (Aftersun)
Bill Nighy (Living)
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
Aftersun
The Banshees
Brian and Charles
Empire of Light
Good Luck to You Leo Grande
Living
Roald Dahl’s Matilda
See How They Run
The Swimmers
The Wonder
OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER
Aftersun (Charlotte Wells)
Blue Jean (Georgia Oakley, Helene Sifre)
Electric Malady (Marie Liden)
Good Luck To You, Leo Grande (Katy Brand)
Rebellion (Maia Kenworthy)
FILM NOT IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE
All Quiet On The Western Front
Argentina, 1985
Corsage
Decision To Leave
The Quiet Girl
DOCUMENTARY
All The Breathes
All The Beauty And The Bloodshed
Fire Of Love
Moonage Daydream
Navalny
ANIMATED FILM
Pinocchio
Marcel The Shell With Shoes On
Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
Turning Red
DIRECTOR
Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Qua in Everything Everywhere All At Once
All Quiet On The Western Front, Edward Berger
The Banshees of Inisherin Martin McDonagh
Decision To Leave, Park Chan-wook
Everything Everywhere All At Once, Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert
Tar, Todd Field
The Woman King, Gina Prince-Bythewood
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Banshees of Inisherin
Everything Everywhere All At Once
The Fabelmans
Tar
Triangle of Sadness
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
All Quiet On The Western Front
Living
The Quiet Girl
She Said
The Whale
SOUND
All Quiet On The Western Front
Avatar: The Way Of Water
Elvis
Tar
Top Gun: Maverick
BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
Middle Watch
Your Mountain Is Waiting
SUPPORTING…
