When is Bafta Film Awards 2022? Date of ceremony hosted by Rebel Wilson, where is it held, favourites to win

The British Academy Film Awards returns for its 75th year with Rebel Wilson as host
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The British Academy Film Awards is returning for its 75th year to celebrate the best films and documentaries from around the world that were screened at British cinemas in 2021.

A major event in the movie awards calendar, and coming two weeks before the Oscars, Bafta celebrates the talents of film cast and crews.

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Hosted by Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect actress Rebel Wilson, this year’s event is the first full-capacity in-person event since 2020 and will celebrate the winners from the list of nominees across 25 categories.

This is what you need to know about the event.

When is the Baftas 2022 award ceremony?

The full list of Bafta nominations for the every category was announced on 3 February.

The 2022 EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday 13 March.

The ceremony will start at 7pm and run for two hours.

Where will the ceremony be held?

The Royal Albert Hall in London will play host to the awards show, as has been the case since 2017.

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The distinctive Victorian venue is also known for hosting The Proms, an eight-week season of classical music concerts and other events.

Who will host the Baftas 2022?

Actress Rebel Wilson is returning to the Royal Albert Hall to host the ceremony this year.

Wilson is best known for her comedy roles in Bridesmaids, the Pitch Perfect Franchise, and war comedy Jojo Rabbit.

She presented the Best Director award to Sam Mendes for 1917 in 2020 and used her platform to comment on the lack of a single woman nominee in the category.

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Female directors Greta Gerwig (Little Women) and Lulu Wang (The Farewell), were among those considered snubbed at both the BAFTAs and Oscars in 2020.

Wilson joins a long list of esteemed film and television personalities to have hosted the show since silver screen legend Vivien Leigh took on the role at the first broadcast awards in 1956.

Stephen Fry is the BAFTAs most prolific host, having taken up the mantle 12 times.

Rebel Wilson at the 2021 AACTA Awards (Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for AFI)Rebel Wilson at the 2021 AACTA Awards (Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for AFI)
Rebel Wilson at the 2021 AACTA Awards (Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for AFI)

Who are the nominees and who are the bookies favourites?

These are the bookies favourites for seven of the main award categories, according to Bet365:

Best Film

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The Power of the Dog is expected to best out Troubles-era drama Belfast and sci-fi epic Dune for the top award this year.

The painfully broody western takes a sharp look at masculinity and subverts all of the expectations of the genre.

Licorice Pizza, which is also nominated, may be too ethereal to take home the bronze trophy, while Don’t Look Up, the final nominee was panned by critics and audiences alike.

Best Actor

The bookies are banking on another win for The Power of the Dog, as Benedict Cumberbatch is the best actor favourite.

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Cumberbatch put in a serious and intense performance as domineering and tortured rancher, Phil Burbank.

Other nominees include Stephen Graham, for his hyperreal portrayal of a chef pushed to (and past) his limits in Boiling Point, and Will Smith for his role as the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams in biopic King Richard.

Benedict Cumberbatch, left, and Jesse Plemons in a scene from The Power of the Dog. Picture: Kirsty Griffin/Netflix via APBenedict Cumberbatch, left, and Jesse Plemons in a scene from The Power of the Dog. Picture: Kirsty Griffin/Netflix via AP
Benedict Cumberbatch, left, and Jesse Plemons in a scene from The Power of the Dog. Picture: Kirsty Griffin/Netflix via AP

Best Actress

Lady Gaga leads the pack for her role in the biopic drama House of Gucci, which despite an all star cast, seemed to miss the mark with critics.

Gaga played socialite and hitman-hirer Patrizia Reggiani, and was so committed to the role that she hired a mental health professional to keep an eye on her on set.

Lady Gaga stars as the ex-wife of Maurizio Gucci (Photo: MGM)Lady Gaga stars as the ex-wife of Maurizio Gucci (Photo: MGM)
Lady Gaga stars as the ex-wife of Maurizio Gucci (Photo: MGM)

Best Director

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Jane Campion is the favourite for Best Director, another boon for The Power of the Dog.

In a welcome departure from the 2020 awards, there is gender parity in this category with three female and three male directors up for the award.

Best Supporting Actor

Kodi Smit-McPhee is the bookie’s favourite for his role in… you guessed it, The Power of the Dog.

Smit-McPhee put in a great effort as the awkward Peter Gordon, a young man trying to understand who he is and how he fits into the tough world of the American West.

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Smit-McPhee came to fame as a child actor with roles in The Road alongside Viggo Mortensen and Let Me In.

He also featured in another slick and subdued western, Slow West, and played Nightcrawler in the X-Men franchise.

Best Supporting Actress

Ariana DeBose is tipped to take the award for her portrayal as Anita in the ambitious West Side Story remake, directed by Steven Spielberg.

DeBose has musical form, having previously appeared in the ensemble of Hamilton, and in comedy musical Prom with Meryl Streep and James Corden (two names you would hope not to see together).

Outstanding British Film

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If Belfast does lose out to The Power of the Dog it may find consolation as it is the favourite for Outstanding British Film award.

This artful black and white slice of life takes a look at The Troubles through the eyes of an eight-year-old Belfast boy who has bigger things to worry about than sectarian conflict - how to get a seat next to his school crush for one.

Belfast touches on themes of identity, innocence, and family, against a backdrop of brutal violence.

Jude Hill (left) as Buddy and Jamie Dornan as Pa in director Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast. Jude Hill (left) as Buddy and Jamie Dornan as Pa in director Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast.
Jude Hill (left) as Buddy and Jamie Dornan as Pa in director Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast.

How can I watch the BAFTAs on TV?

You can watch the full award show on BBC One. Viewers can also stream the programme and watch on catch-up on BBC iPlayer.

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