Our team of anonymous voters reflect on what they liked and didn’t like about the 2023 Bafta and Oscar nominations.
Bafta nominations
Producer 1, female, Bafta voter
What stands out for you about the Bafta nominations?
I agreed largely with the Bafta nominations but I watched The Fabelmans on a big screen after voting closed — not having high expectations, and I truly loved it. This would have been up there for me and was a casualty of Bafta allowing us only a week to watch the longlisted films, as well as the late availability for in-person screenings.
Oscar or Bafta: which came up with the better nominations?
The Oscars have done well although it is frustrating that no women made best director. They pleasantly surprised me with nominations like Paul Mescal in Aftersun and Barry Keoghan in The Banshees Of Inisherin. I am sad Corsage did not get an Oscar nod, as well as Moonage Daydream in documentary, but thrilled for All The Beauty And The Bloodshed. I am glad Top Gun: Maverick was nominated by Oscar voters for best picture — so many voters enjoyed it. And of course the gem that is Triangle Of Sadness. Having 10 films in this category at Oscar allows these films to get on the list.
Director, female, Bafta voter
What stands out for you about the Bafta nominations?
I’m pleased to see the actors in Good Luck To You, Leo Grande getting the recognition they deserve for executing such a complex, performance-driven film.
Oscar or Bafta: which came up with the better nominations?
It’s disheartening to see so few female directors nominated in a year where female filmmakers made lots of excellent work. At least the Baftas have one female nominee, while the Oscars disturbingly have none.
Screenwriter, male, Bafta voter
What stands out for you about the Bafta nominations?
Triangle Of Sadness would have made my best film list — it really showed Babylon how to do vomiting scenes. Charlotte Wells should have been nominated for best director. I’m pleased that Hong Chau, also terrific in The Menu, was nominated for The Whale.
Oscar or Bafta: which came up with the better nominations?
The [US] Academy were right to nominate Brian Tyree Henry for Causeway. The Baftas were right to nominate Danielle Deadwyler for best actress in Till.
Distribution executive, female, Bafta voter
What stands out for you about the Bafta nominations?
It’s great to see Tár receive so many nominations, it’s such a standout film and blew me away in its originality, suspense and emotion. Great too to see Living nominated for outstanding British film, adapted screenplay and lead actor. After all the Bifa nods for Aftersun, it bodes well for the film to have Bafta nominations too. I was surprised that The Fabelmans only got one nomination — and for original screenplay; I thought it deserved to be recognised for its cast and HoDs too, especially Spielberg.
Oscar or Bafta: which came up with the better nominations?
I love that any film can be nominated for best film in both countries, and that this year All Quiet On The Western Front has demonstrated that.
Exhibition analyst, male, Bafta voter
What stands out for you about the Bafta nominations?
The relative shutout of Spielberg’s The Fabelmans, especially in best actress for Michelle Williams, who would have had my vote. I was disappointed Close didn’t make the film not in the English language category, which is much more exciting than the best film category again this year. I was also disappointed by the complete shutout for Sarah Polley’s mesmerising Women Talking.
Oscar or Bafta: which came up with the better nominations?
Bafta’s director list is more exciting than Oscar’s. The big differential on the Oscars list was Andrea Riseborough’s nomination for To Leslie, which was a film I’d not heard of and is now at the top of my watchlist.
Producer 3, female, Bafta voter
What stands out for you about the Bafta nominations?
All Quiet On The Western Front is a technically brilliant film but it is distressing to watch. It is an unashamedly ambitious anti-war film at a time when we are confronted by the horrors of war in Ukraine, so it is important viewing, but I worry some of these votes were cast out of a sense of earnest obligation rather than in response to the film’s cinematic merits.
What can we do about the shitshow that is the outstanding British film category? To my mind, an outstanding film has to make the most of the entire range of cinematic arts, crafts and disciplines available to the filmmakers. Brian And Charles, Empire Of Light and Good Luck To You, Leo Grande did not benefit from that full range. [Nominating them] will do our struggling independent film sector no favours.
Oscar or Bafta: which came up with the better nominations?
If you were to remove Everything Everywhere All At Once from the Oscar nominations, things begin to look pretty dire. The Academy has sprung back to pre-#MeToo mode and is all-too-comfortable reverting to bad voting habits.
Casting director, female, Bafta and Ampas voter
What stands out for you about the Bafta nominations?
I am delighted Everything Everywhere All At Once and Triangle Of Sadness have been nominated for casting Baftas. Both of these ensemble casts were excellent.
Oscar or Bafta: which came up with the better nominations?
It appears the US Academy might have forgotten the conversations about women and people of colour. Did they not watch The Woman King? How is it possible for Gina Prince-Bythewood to be overlooked? I am also disappointed that Danielle Deadwyler’s moving performance in Till was not recognised by the US Academy.
Actor, male, Bafta voter
What stands out for you about the Bafta nominations?
I’m disappointed not to see Hit The Road and Joyland in the best film not in the English language category. They are far more on point and part of the current world conversations than others that made it through. Joyland was a revelation to me: beautiful performances, script and colour, heralding from Pakistan and speaking so much to the freedom we enjoy in the west that is deprived there.
In supporting actress, I am pleased to see Dolly De Leon there at Bafta for Triangle Of Sadness, but it’s a shame this is an Oscar miss. I’m glad to see Paul Mescal nominated at both Bafta and Oscar. As an actor watching an actor, [I admire] his choices and fearlessness, and support of independent directors — I hope this outcome will encourage studios to back non-IP films.
Oscar nominations
Marketing and public relations executive, female, Ampas and Bafta voter
What stands out for you about the Oscar nominations?
I’m very happy that Women Talking is one of the best picture nominees, but it’s a shame none of the amazing cast was nominated and that Sarah Polley wasn’t nominated for best director.
I am also disappointed that Baz Luhrmann wasn’t nominated for Elvis, which I loved both as a spectacle and an insightful portrait that brings nuance and intimacy to a larger-than-life artist. It could only have been directed by Baz and it’s a shame there are only five spots for directors when 10 films are nominated for best picture.
In addition to producers, directors should receive an Oscar if their film wins best film. Also disappointed that The Woman King and its director didn’t make the cut. Needless to say it’s disappointing with so many great films directed by women/people of color this year that none of them was nominated
I was glad to see Triangle Of Sadness get multiple nominations and that international films have once again broken out of the international category and are being considered for best film and other categories as well. The Academy has made strides in going global.
How much attention do you pay to the guilds, Globes and Bafta nominations ahead of voting?
I don’t pay attention to them because I watch loads of films all year round. This makes it easier to see films before the awards discussions begin and they have made their choices. I’m also a Bafta member so that has some influence because some of their nominated films haven’t opened in the States yet.
Marketing and public relations executive, male, Ampas voter
What stands out for you about the Oscar nominations?
What happened to Emma Thompson from Good Luck to You, Leo Grande? She was an early frontrunner and then — whoosh, gone! That was, hands down, the bravest acting performance of the year. I thought that Viola Davis’ performance in The Woman King was worthy and should have been there. I don’t understand the overwhelming affection for The Banshees Of Inisherin. I thought the movie was ridiculous; I feel like I’m being gaslit. On the flip side, I’m happy to see Everything Everywhere All At Once recognised. Michelle Yeoh is spectacular and finally was in a movie that matched her brilliant talent. I am thrilled that Top Gun: Maverick was recognized in best picture.
How much attention do you pay to the guilds, Globes and Bafta nominations ahead of voting?
These award shows are hard to avoid and ignore. Everybody wants their place in the spotlight, and this extended timeline does reinforce the movies you need to screen prior to finalising your Oscar ballot.
Sales and production executive, female, Ampas voter
What stands out for you about the Oscar nominations?
I was disappointed there was nothing for Holy Spider and Corsage — for me, two of the most accomplished films this year.
How much attention do you pay to the guilds, Globes and Bafta nominations ahead of voting?
I follow them but would not say they influence my vote. Bafta’s mix of juries and voters is frankly a mess; we don’t know whose fingers are on the scale but we know somebody’s are. I believe it’s a mistake not to allow the entire voting body for both the Oscars and the Baftas to choose the acting nominees. A sound engineer is a better judge of merit in sound, a cinematographer for image — but everyone, by virtue of being human, knows what constitutes a great performance.
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