Bafta has confirmed the rules and regulations for its 2021 film awards, with the dates and eligibility criteria adjusted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dates
This year’s awards will take place on Sunday, April 11, around two months later than usual. As a result, the eligibility period has been confirmed as January 1, 2020 – April 9, 2021 (and April 30, 2020 for documentary and film not in the English language).
Because the timetable will go back to normal for 2021-22, there will be a significant crossover period for the following year’s awards, with the eligibility period beginning January 1, 2021. The 2022 awards are currently pencilled in for February 13.
Scroll down for selected key dates
Eligibility rules
Bafta has clarified its eligibility rules (first announced in June) for films that were unable to have a theatrical release. For the 2021 awards only, films that were intended for theatrical release but ended up on an “approved commercial VoD platform” because cinemas shut down may qualify, provided they meet Bafta’s other eligibility requirements.
Films that had a theatrical release with the FDA are eligible, while those that did not have an FDA date “will be considered by the Film Committee before being approved as eligible.”
Films must have been available to UK audiences for at least 30 days on a VoD platform during the qualifying period to be considered.
Films that were on theatrical release in the UK on March 17 (when cinemas had to close) are eligible even if they did not meet the qualifying screening threshold.
Bafta emphasised these rules are “subject to change based on Bafta’s best practice policies and national guidelines as determined by the UK government”.
Voting overhaul
As previously reported, starting this year Bafta Film Awards is revamping its voting methods in all major categories, in response to the outcry following the lack of diversity at every level of the 2020 Film Award nominations. Bafta subsequently undertook a far-reaching and industry-wide review headed by new Bafta chair Krishnendu Majumdar. From this, it has actioned major changes include expanding the number of films to be nominated for outstanding British film and overhauling the voting system to introduce more jury voting. The aim is for a wider number of films to be seen by as many voters as possible.
It is also planning to invite 1,000 new members from under-represented groups to become members at a “heavily discounted” rate.
Further key changes
Fees
Bafta has introduced fees to enter films in all categories except the short film category and the category for best debut by a British filmmaker. It said it is to cover the costs of developing the viewing portal.
They are: £250 for outstanding British film, film not in the English language and documentary: and £2,500 for all other titles. The Film Committee has said it is anticipating appeals and will consider on a case-by-case basis.
Headshots
Once a film has been accepted for entry, for the first time a film’s distributor or producer will be asked to provide headshots for specific individual categories, for both inclusion and diversity purposes and also to familiarise voters with lesser-known names.
Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer
The requirement for a candidate to either hold a UK passport or to have been permanently resident in the UK for six years has decreased from 10 years. Furthermore, if the candidate fulfils just one of these criteria ”they will be asked a series of questions to demonstrate a commitment to the UK film industry, providing the following details: where they currently reside, the length of time they have lived there, if they plan to return and work in the UK, details of the projects they have in development and the producers involved”. This is so Bafta is “clearer from the outset about the candidate’s commitment to the UK film industry”
The Bafta film committee is also asking for the following information in this category for the first time:
- Supporting statements from entered debut producers detailing the role they took and why it was an outstanding debut (this is to give the jury a better understanding of their role on the production, which may not necessarily be visible on screen);
- Where a candidate shares a credit with a non-debut candidate, it asks for a statement detailing the different roles the debut candidate and more established director/writer/producers took, and why it was an outstanding debut for the candidate;
- CVs for all candidates for nominations, for jury consideration.
Key dates
October 28: First deadline to enter into Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer (films released 1 Jan – 28 October 2020)
November 10: Entries for the British film categories should be submitted to the BFI for consideration against their Diversity Standards by this date at the latest
November 23: Deadline for submission of Stage One entry forms (confirming film eligibility, categories each film will be entered into including performance categories) Final deadline to enter Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer & films entered for Debut should be available to jurors by this date
December 14: Deadline for Stage Two entry submission (confirming individual candidates for nomination) plus statements and appeals
December 22: Draft entered films list to be made available to voters and entrants
January 6: Deadline for requests to changes to the draft entered Films list and SVFX Statements
January 11: All films must be made available to BAFTA voters on the BAFTA View portal by this date to qualify
January 12: Round One voting opens at 10:00
January 26: Round One voting closes at 18:00 / deadline for SVFX reels
February 4: Longlists announcement
February 19: Round Two voting opens at 10:00
March 1: Round Two voting closes
March 9: Nominations announcement
March 25: Round Three voting opens at 10:00
April 7: Round Three voting closes at 18:00
April 9: Entered films to have been screened to the public by this date (except for Films Not In The English Language (FNIEL) and Documentaries, which must be screened to the public by Friday 30 April).
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