BAFTAs 2023: CEO details ‘extraordinary’ range of nominations with German-language Netflix film out front

The best and brightest of British television and film have been announced as the BAFTAs release their 2023 nominations, ahead of the 76th awards ceremony.

However, instead of a British production leading the way, German Netflix film ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ has received the most nominations with the wartime epic given 14 nods.

This is the most nominations an individual movie has been given, alongside the King’s Speech in 2011 which also appeared in 14 categories, and this year also marks the first time for 40% ethnic diversity in the nominees.

It comes as the 2022-elected BAFTA CEO, Jane Millichip, declared that the 2023 ceremony had the most ‘extraordinary’ and ‘mesmerising’ range of nominations on offer.

She said: “I think that the breadth of storytelling is really interesting. So you have big commercial films like Elvis, which has nine nominations, and then indie films like Aftersun.

“When the changes were made in our voting process, the most important thing was to increase the number of films viewed and considered by each voting member,” she said.

“So that simple change has really delivered a lot more diversity and breadth in the films that could go through to the longlist.”

Showcasing this: The Banshees of Inisherin, Everything Everywhere All At Once and Tar have all received nominations, but have not been given as much recognition as the Golden Globes and Critics Choice.

Alternatively, The Woman King, Decision to Leave and Good Luck To You, Leo Grande have been given a platform in the major categories, in addition to The Quiet Girl, Living and She Said.

In terms of leading actor and actress, previous favourites Austin Butler and Colin Farrell will face off against newly-named Paul Mescal and Daryl McCormack, whilst Cate Blanchett and Michelle Yeoh sit opposite the likes of Danielle Deadwyler and Viola Davis.

For those baffled by BAFTA’s celebration or outward stance on the diversity in their nominations - the British event has been heavily criticised in the past, with some suggesting their credibility was at stake, due to the lack of diversity in the field.

The ceremony is not the only one condemned, as most events across the awards season including the Golden Globes and the Oscars, have been found to be ‘too white and too male’ in their nominations and academies, especially since the Time’s Up campaign in 2018.

In response to the outrage, the BAFTAs have worked to try and increase the diversity of the awards by consulting 400 industry figures, adding 1000 members to its committee from underrepresented areas, changing the voting system [aforementioned by Jane Millichip] and only allowing an actor to be named in either leading or supporting roles.

The decision to update their ceremony was cemented after Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen told the Guardian that the BAFTAs risked becoming ‘irrelevant, redundant and of no importance or interest’ unless it underwent a complete transformation.

You can tune in to see the BAFTAs on Sunday 19 February 2023 on BBC One.