‘Blue Story’, ‘Bait’, ‘For Sama’ filmmakers make Bafta shortlist for outstanding British debut category

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has unveiled the 10-strong shortlist for the films in the running for outstanding debut by a British writer, director, or producer category. The shortlist, five nominations and final winner are all decided by a jury. 

They are: 

Animals
Writer: Emma Jane Unsworth

Bait
Writer/Director: Mark Jenkin, Producers: Kate Byers, Linn Waite

Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story
Director/Producer: Steve Sullivan

Blue Story
Writer/Director: Rapman, Producer: Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor
(also produced by Damien Jones) 

For Sama
Director/Producer: Waad al-Kateab, Director: Edward Watts

The Last Tree
Producer: Myf Hopkins
(also produced by Lee Thomas)

Maiden
Director: Alex Holmes

Only You
Writer/Director: Harry Wootliff

The Party’s Just Beginning
Writer/Director: Karen Gillan

Retablo
Writer/Director: Álvaro Delgado-Aparicio
(also written by Héctor Gálvez)

All of the films for which the British writer, director or producer are nominated must all qualify as British except in exceptional circumstances. This year, Bafta has included Álvaro Delgado-Aparicio, the UK writer and director of the Peruvian film Retablo. The last time this happened was in 2013 for UK writer-director James Bobin and his work on The Muppets.

It is the first time Bafta has announced the shortlist for this category. 

The Bafta nominations will be announced on January 7 and the ceremony will take place on February 2, 2020. 

• Awards whispers: Oscar, Bafta voters on which directors will get their vote