BAFTAs 2016: nominees' reactions

Bridge Of Spies

Steven Spielberg (director): “I’m very grateful to the voters at BAFTA for this bouquet of nominations for both me and all of my colleagues who made invaluable contributions to this little known story that was such an honor for all of us to tell.”

Mark Rylance (actor): “Thank you very much for this nomination. My scenes were pretty much all with Tom Hanks who was not only a joy to support in his subtle and generous performance but also a great teacher through example about film acting. It was hard to go wrong with such a wonderful script and with a true genius directing. I’m delighted that the BAFTA judges have nominated so many of the creative team who made this beautiful film.”

Matt Charman (screenwriter): “I’m so grateful to BAFTA for nominating me alongside such a group of amazing writers. It’s incredible to think that this movie all started when I found a footnote on James Donovan in a book and I feel blessed that this one moment led to a life changing meeting with Steven Spielberg and to an incredible collaboration with him. Sitting on set with Spielberg and watching Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance capture lightning in a bottle is an experience I’ll never forget, and we’re lucky that the most remarkable actors, designers, technicians, and cinematographers came together to bring Donovan’s story to life.”

Brooklyn

Julie Walters (actor): “What a wonderful surprise, thrilled to be nominated. And proud to be included alongside these great women and their powerful performances.”

Odile Dicks-Mireaux (Costume Designer): “I am so delighted for everyone on Brooklyn. It was such a collaborative project.”

Carol

Producers Stephen Woolley and Elizabeth Karlsen, Number 9 Films: “We are thrilled for Todd Haynes Phyllis Nagy and the entire Carol team and of course the magnificent Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara on the eve of the Golden Globe awards in Los Angeles that BAFTA has chosen to honour the film in such an incredible way with nine nominations!”

Ex Machina

Alex Garland, Andrew MacDonald and Allon Reich of production company DNA: “On behalf of everyone who worked on Ex Machina, we¹re honoured and delighted that it has been recognised by BAFTA today.”

The Revenant

Alejandro G. Iñárritu (director): “I am thrilled our film has been recognized by BAFTA and I want to thank them for this honor. I am so happy for Leo, Tom and our entire cast and crew whose passion and hard work on this film was unparalleled.”

Leonardo DiCaprio (actor): “I am grateful to BAFTA for their acknowledgment of The Revenant. There aren’t enough BAFTA categories to award every person that worked each day, to realize Alejandro’s vision.  Hundreds of people behind the scenes — grips, artists, extras and the list goes on. I thank BAFTA for recognizing my work because by doing so they are also shining a light on the extraordinary work of a massive and amazing team.”

Room

Brie Larson (actor): “Thank you BAFTA for this wonderful acknowledgment. I’m proud to be a part of a film that has touched so many people around the world and to share this moment with Lenny, Emma, Jacob and the entire cast and crew of Room.”

Emma Donoghue (writer): “I’m over the moon to be nominated for a BAFTA for Adapted Screenplay for Room. As a first-timer, to find myself in the company of such superb scriptwriters is an honour I’ll never forget. But much of the credit should go to our extraordinary director Lenny Abrahamson, my teacher and mentor in filmcraft. I’m also delighted that BAFTA has recognised the astounding performance of Brie Larson.”

Shaun The Sheep Movie

Richard Starzak (director): “I’m chuffed to bits! Very proud of the film, my co-writer/director Mark Burton, and delighted for the Aardman crew who brought the film to life.”

The Survivalist

Stephen Fingleton (director, nominated for oustanding debut by a British director): “I’m delighted because my team worked very hard on the film. Anything that can bring attention to our work gives me gratitude. When you make a film in this sort of scale, it often can fall into the calling card territory. I think this particular award to be nominated is one of the few ways of raising the profile of a film that’s being made outside the system.” 

Steve Jobs

Michael Fassbender (actor): “Very excited and honoured to be considered by BAFTA this year alongside such outstanding talent. Congratulations to Kate, Aaron and all the nominees - looking forward to celebrating with you on the night.”

Kate Winslet (actor): “To be nominated by my fellow Brits really means a great deal to me; and to be alongside such wonderful women too. This is such a great year for women in film and I am absolutely thrilled to be included! Thank you BAFTA!”

BFI (British Film Institute)

The BFI supported six films nominated at this year’s BAFTAs, garnering seven nominations in total: 45 Years, A Syrian Love Story, Brooklyn, The Lobster, The Survivalist.

Ben Roberts, director of the BFI Film Fund: “It’s good to see a number of excellent British films and filmmakers across the Outstanding British and Outstanding Debut categories, and at the BFI we are particularly proud to have helped the prodigiously talented teams behind six of today’s nominated films. 

“BFI Lottery investment supports the UK’s independent sector, where so many of our brightest stars are born, and where talented teams work with extraordinary tenacity and skill to bring their stories to the screen. Making a film isn’t easy, making a good film is even harder, so in what has been a fantastic year for British film we tip our hats to all the nominees whose commitment to great cinema is rightly recognised today – and indeed all those involved in our industry and making films of which the UK can be immensely proud.” 

BBC Films

Two features supported by BBC Films received nominations: Brooklyn received six including Outstanding British Film; The Lady In The Van received one for Maggie Smith in the Leading Actress category.

Christine Langan, head of BBC Films: “It couldn’t be a better start to the year than to hear the news of the hugely well deserved BAFTA nominations for Brooklyn (Outstanding British Film, Adapted Screenplay, Leading Actress – Saoirse Ronan, Supporting Actress – Julie Walters, Costume Design and Make Up & Hair) and The Lady In The Van (Leading Actress – Maggie Smith). It has been wonderful to see audiences and critics embrace Brooklyn and The Lady in the Van, and we are proud to also receive this recognition from our industry colleagues. BBC Films extend our congratulations to the cast and filmmakers.”

Film4

Film4 received 22 nominations in this year’s BAFTAs, a record total for the company. Carol led the way with nine nominations, a joint high with Bridge Of Spies, while Ex Machina received five.

David Kosse, director of Film4: “We are delighted that seven of our films have been honoured with a record number of BAFTA nominations this morning. They are a perfect example of the bold, inspirational voices that Film4 is known for backing – each film has been expertly crafted by exceptionally gifted writers, filmmakers and actors.

“It is enormously gratifying to see our belief in their unique talent recognised by BAFTA and its members in this way. Congratulations to all the filmmakers and all our many partners who helped bring these extraordinarily films into being.”