Screen International’s annual Awards Whispers series launches by asking our group of anonymous UK-based industry voters to talk through their early favourites for the 2021-2022 awards season.
Director, female, Bafta and Ampas voter
What are your early favourites for best film? I was very moved by Flee, the animated documentary. I can’t wait to see Petite Maman and I imagine it will be a favourite of mine, but I’m holding out until I can get to a cinema screening. I saw The Harder They Fall at the opening of the BFI London Film Festival (LFF) and loved its energy and boldness. Jane Campion is always an inspiration, so I would hope to see The Power Of The Dog in the best film nominations. I was really taken by The Hand Of God, The Souvenir: Part II and Summer Of Soul, and I hear good things about Drive My Car. I am looking forward to seeing Ali & Ava, Censor and Titane, but want to make sure I see all of them on a big screen.
How many in-cinema screenings are you getting to this year, or are you waiting for films to become available on viewing portals such as Bafta View? I have been to a few cinema screenings, helped by going to the LFF. But I would like to go to many more. Nothing replaces the cinema experience.
Are you missing physical DVDs? I have finally weaned myself from DVDs.
What’s the one smaller film you have seen that you would urge voters not to overlook? I plan to make a concerted effort to watch some more smaller films in the next few weeks. On my radar are After Love and the documentary Dying To Divorce, among others. It feels like a strong year and I hope to see as much as possible, big and small. Sometimes the so-called “smaller films” feel bigger to me, in terms of their significance and value.
Producer, male, Bafta voter
What are your early favourites for best film? My early faves are Licorice Pizza, Tick, Tick… Boom!, The Hand Of God, Parallel Mothers, Passing and Mass.
How many in-cinema screenings are you getting to this year? I have only been to a handful of public screenings. I am shocked by how few people — Bafta members or their guests — wear masks despite the advisories. I would rather wait until the films come on Bafta View, just for my own sense of security. Which is a shame because nothing beats seeing the films on a big screen.
Are you missing physical DVDs? I am, actually. The sound went during The Last Duel the other day, and my wifi connection isn’t the best. At least with DVDs, you knew it would play.
What’s the one smaller film you have seen that you would urge voters not to overlook? Benediction. Not so small, maybe, but the noise isn’t loud enough for it.
Production executive, female, Bafta voter
What are your early favourites for best film? I still have quite a few films to see but my leading contender is Spencer, which I thought was bold, confident and accomplished across the board — cinematography, costume, production design. I also responded to The Souvenir: Part II much more so than the first one. I would love to see Joanna Hogg’s talent recognised this year.
How many in-cinema screenings are you getting to this year? I am attending as many screenings as possible but also going to my local cinema to see contenders that are already released. It’s become easier to do that than go into central London for screenings, and I feel good about supporting the cinemas around me. I am also watching links.
Are you missing physical DVDs? DVDs were convenient when you travel a lot during the holiday period, but we will all adjust. It feels more democratic to have the films on Bafta View and more environmentally friendly. I applaud the work Bafta has done with the platform, it is very good and an improvement on the previous incarnation.
What’s the one smaller film you have seen that you would urge voters not to overlook? I responded to Boiling Point by Philip Barantini. I always admire filmmakers who manage to make films without the support of the usual stakeholders. It’s important to pay attention to practitioners who operate slightly outside the system.
Casting director, female, Bafta voter
What are your early favourites for best film? Belfast, Licorice Pizza, King Richard and The Power Of The Dog have stayed with me.
How many in-cinema screenings are you getting to this year? Much more than I thought I would. Bafta View works really well so I thought I would stay home, but being able to see films in the cinema feels more special than ever so I’m trying to attend as many in-person screenings as I can.
Are you missing physical DVDs? It often felt like more of a daunting task when I would look at the pile of DVDs. I’m happy with Bafta View. Sometimes the log-in process to watch the screener is overly complicated but it’s a small price to pay to not create so much landfill.
What’s the one smaller film you have seen that you would urge voters not to overlook? After Love by Aleem Khan was a beautiful story about love and loss. I felt I understood the director’s voice and loved the casting and cinematography.
Festival executive, male, Bafta voter
What are your early favourites for best film? The film I would like to win is King Richard but think it will get Will Smith an Oscar [for best actor] instead. I found The Tragedy Of Macbeth overrated. Dune will sweep the technical awards but I also found that dull. The Power Of The Dog, for me, took too long to get going.
It’s not my favourite but what I think will win at this stage is Belfast. The Academy will feel comfortable rewarding a feelgood movie where the character’s life is changed by cinema, it will play well with the old guard and Kenneth Branagh is a master at selling the film. I have not seen Licorice Pizza yet, and Adam McKay [Don’t Look Up] can always spring a surprise, but my early money is on Belfast.
How many in-cinema screenings are you getting to this year? I am managing quite a few in-cinema screenings. I’m traditional in that sense. I have never met a film I didn’t like more in the cinema. The other day I got my recommended views to watch by Bafta and have not bothered to read them.
Are you missing physical DVDs? Yes, because they still don’t do much streaming with 5:1 sound. How can people vote on films when on links they are so far away from how the director meant them to sound?
What’s the one smaller film you have seen that you would urge voters not to overlook? I’m a fan of subtitles. Cannes had a lot of the best films: Titane, Compartment No. 6 and The Gravedigger’s Wife. And while no-one will vote for it, I did like Radu Jude’s Berlinale Golden Bear winner Bad Luck Banging Or Loony Porn. The Good Boss is also good. For the English-language films, Summer Of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) in the documentary category and The Souvenir: Part II should get some serious plaudits.
Producer, female, Ampas and Bafta voter
What are your early favourites for best film? The Power Of The Dog and The Harder They Fall.
How many in-cinema screenings are you getting to this year? Not many but mainly because we’re shooting until Christmas, otherwise I definitely would.
Are you missing physical DVDs? Always!
What’s the one smaller film you have seen that you would urge voters not to overlook? Coda.
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