The 2021 BAFTA Film Awards: when and where to watch, who are the nominees?

The BAFTA film awards 2021 will follow the trend of most awards ceremonies that have taken place over the past year. That is, seeing a change in the structure, filming, red carpet and hosts. This year the BAFTAS won’t disappoint with a few interesting twists up their sleeve.

Graham Norton seemed to get the BAFTA hosting bang on - he was funny without being snide and he was engaging, fun and enjoyable to watch. No Graham this year, though, but it seems a one-off. “Bafta loves working with Graham Norton,” a spokesperson told the Sun. “He was a great host last year. We have a very successful working relationship with him across both the film and TV awards and have done for a number of years.”

That’s right. Understandably, we have to rely again on pictures posted on Instagram and stills from video attendance. It cuts to the chase though, doesn’t it?

BAFTA are delivering not one but actually TWO awards ceremonies. The film awards will be divided into two events taking place on the 10th (8pm on BBC Two) and 11th April (7pm on BBC One). The hosts lined up will differ on each night, too, making it seem a completely different event.

Live from the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, we will see radio and television presenter, Clara Amfo (known principally for her mid-morning show on BBC Radio 1, as well as a sting on Strictly Come Dancing) hosting the ‘BAFTA Film Awards Opening Night’ on April 10.

It will be a showcase of the nominated films, some behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the pieces and some guests. The only award that will be given in-person will be The Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award to actor, producer, writer and director Noel Clarke.

Edith Bowman and Dermot O’Leary will host the full Film Awards on the second BAFTA event to be held on Sunday live on BBC One. Again, at the Royal Albert Hall, they will present the rest of the 17 awards to hopeful nominees and invite guests to join in from Los Angeles. The most anticipated is the public-voted Rising Star award.

Liam Payne, former One Direction band member, is intriguing his followers on social media by posting about a very special appearance at the BAFTAS. Some kind of new technology real time virtual reality is in store and it has created quite a bit of hype.

He said in a promo clip, “Make sure you download The Round app to check out me at the EE Baftas, I'll see you there.” And then on Twitter he said, “You’ve never seen me like this before... Check out my #EEBAFTAs AR performance this Sunday... Coming live to your phone, whether you're at home, in the park, or on the move.”

If you have seen the list of nominees for the acting awards, you will have noticed that 16 of the 24 nominees (including Tahar Rahim on the photo) come from ethnic minority groups. Perhaps this is because of the harsh criticism the awards ceremonies are recently receiving for their lack of inclusivity. In fact, last year not one actor of colour was nominated.

Some great talent has arisen in the pool of nominees and, with the predicted actors missing out on being nominated (such as Olivia Colman, Carey Mulligan, Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried), the 2021 BAFTA Film Awards has resulted in a really diverse and celebratory event.

The Telegraph's film critic Robbie Collin said: "Umm, wow - this is the wildest slate of Bafta directing nominees I think I've ever seen. When I and others were moaning last year about voters unthinkingly defaulting to the obvious choices, this was basically the dream alternative scenario.”

Not only are ethnic minority groups being celebrated, but also women’s role in filming and directing. This year a record four women have been nominated in the Best Director Category, including Chloe Zhao who also won the best director at the Golden Globes this year for her directing skills for Nomadland.

Up for a total seven awards, Nomadland seems to be stealing the spotlight at this year’s awards. But what are all the best film nominees?

Starring an incredible cast including Olivia Coleman and Sir Anthony Hopkins, this film is up for a whopping six nominations this year at the BAFTAS. They also receives six nominations at the OSCARS, too. Rotten Tomatoes revealed atet 98% of their critics reviews were positive, so it must be one to watch when it comes onto our screens.

Jodie Foster plays Nancy Hollander in this legal drama that focuses on a post-9/11 detainee, Slahi, played by Tahar Rahim who is also a favourite for winning the Best Leading Actor Award. An incredible look at the delicate balance in an interrogation room, this film will have you siting on the edge of your seat for the majority of the screenplay.

Up for a serious seven awards this year, Nomadland follows Fern, played by Frances McDormand, who loses both her job and her husband so decides to buy a van and travel the country looking for work. Basic survival, community and friendship are key themes to this beautiful, adventurous story.

A woman wants to avenge the suicidal death of her best friend, a rape victim. Dark and twisted, this film focuses around Carey Mulligan’s character, Cassie, as she creates sinister situations for those involved, as well as those who didn’t believe the crime happened in the first place.

Extremely relevant - a film about anti-war protesters. Seven of them, actually. They called themselves the Chicago seven and were charged with conspiracy as they crossed state lines protesting the Vietnam war. A legal, moral dilemma that follows the group fighting for their case. Eddie Redmayne does an excellent job, alongside other big names such as Sacha Baron Cohen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and ‘Skins’ actor, Daniel Flaherty.

We expected to see Frances McDormand here for her role in Nomadland which is actually a very personal role for her as she had always had a dream of dropping out, changing her name and setting off in an R.V. She got to live out that dream and create her own imaginary retrospect biography.

Also in the list of leading actress nominees is Bukky Bakray who, furthermore, is up for the Rising Star award, being only 16 when she landed the role in the film, ‘Rocks’ with no previous experience and her audition being the casting directors going from school to school in Hackney as they scoured for talent.

Sir Anthony Hopkins, who excels in everything he does, is one of the favourites in the pool of nominees this year. His role in The Father presents a devastating, empathetic portrayal of a man with dementia. So grab your tissues.

There could also be a posthumous award given to Chadwick Boseman, the Black Panther actor who sadly passed away last year. This was his final appearance before he dies of colon cancer in August. His final role does his memory a justice.

Most notable in the documentary nominees we see David Attenborough at it again. This time, as well as looking at nature and life, he looks at himself and recounts a biographical tale about his journeys as a journalist. Beautiful, touching and an incredible insight into a British hero. The Social Dilemma is also up for the same award which has received worldwide acclaim for its fascinating, yet scary, look at social networks.

The Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, Marc Samuelson, said: “It has been an extremely tough year for everyone, including for cinemas and for the film industry, so we are looking forward to some fun, and a celebration of great talent across the weekend. The industry and film lovers are coming together to shine a spotlight on the creativity and craft behind the 50 nominated films, and to recognise and celebrate the efforts of the industry to keep going during this particularly challenging time.”