British Academy Film Awards

History
BAFTA was formed in 1947 as The British Film Academy, by David Lean, Alexander Korda, Carol Reed, Charles Laughton, Roger Manvell and others. In 1958, the academy merged with The Guild of Television Producers and Directors to form The Society of Film and Television. This became The British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 1976.

BAFTA is supported by a membership of around 6,000 people from the movie, television and video game industries.

The academy's awards are look like a theatrical mask. They were designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe in 1955.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was the host of the ceremony as the first president of BAFTA in 1960,1963, and 1965.

Princess Anne presented the first Fellowship Award to Alfred Hitchcock in 1971, and later attended the ceremony several times as President of BAFTA between 1973 and 2001.

William, Prince of Wales attended the ceremony for the first time in 2010 after being named president of BAFTA, and has attended frequently since, including together with Catherine, Princess of Wales. He presented the BAFTA Fellowship award to Mel Brooks in 2017 and Kathleen Kennedy in 2020.

Annual ceremony
The ceremony used to take place in April or May. Starting in 2002 it takes place in February in order to be before the Oscars. The awards are mostly open to all nationalities. There is an award for "Outstanding British Film" and "Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Producer or Director". The Short Film and Short Animation awards are also only for UK movies.

The Awards ceremony is broadcast on British television on BBC One. In the US the show was previously broadcast with a delay on BBC America until 2021, after which it has broadcast live on streaming service BritBox until 2025. In 2023, the BAFTA Film Awards included a live broadcasting of its major award categories during the final portion of the ceremony rather than a same day delay. In 2026, the U.S. broadcast of the ceremony will be on E! with a delay.

British Academy Awards of Merit
Movies
BAFTA Award for Best Film (since 1948)
BAFTA Award for Best British Film (since 1948)
BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Film (since 1948)
BAFTA Award for Best Short Film (since 1980)
BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film (since 2006)
BAFTA Award for Best Documentary (1948-1989, 2012)

Crew
BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (since 1953)
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role (since 1953)
BAFTA Award for Best Direction (since 1969)
BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (since 1969)
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (since 1969)
BAFTA Award for Best Cinematography (since 1969)
BAFTA Award for Best Sound (since 1969)
BAFTA Award for Best Film Music (since 1969)BAFTA Award for Best Production Design (since 1969)
BAFTA Award for Best Costume Design (since 1969)
BAFTA Award for Best Editing (since 1978)
BAFTA Award for Best Newcomer (since 1981)
BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects (since 1983)
BAFTA Award for Best Makeup and Hair (since 1983)
BAFTA Award for Best Original Screenplay (since 1984)
BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (since 1984)

Retired awards
BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay (awarded 1969-1983)
BAFTA Award for Best British Screenplay (awarded 1955-1968)

British Academy Special Awards
BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award (since 1971)
Orange Rising Star Award (since 2006)

References


Category:Movie awards