British Academy Film Awards

Infobox award
name = British Academy Film Awards
current_awards =

imagesize = 168px
caption = British Academy Film Awards Statuette
description = The best in film
presenter = British Academy of Film and Television Arts
country = UK
year = 1947
website = http://www.bafta.org/

The British Academy Film Awards is an annual award show hosted by BAFTA. It is often cited as the British equivalent to the Oscars. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1190562.stm BBC News | ENTERTAINMENT | Baftas fuel Oscars race ] ] [ [http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0764269.html British Academy of Film and Television Awards — Infoplease.com ] ] [ [http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91248-1304856,00.html Bafta Awards: Keira Knightley And Atonement Enjoy Mixed Luck As Daniel Day-Lewis Wins Best Actor | Media | Sky News ] ] In 2008, it took place in the Royal Opera House, having taken place since 2000 in the flagship Odeon cinema on Leicester Square.

History

BAFTA was founded 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, which eventually became The British Academy of Film and Television Arts in 1976.

BAFTA's stated charitable remit is to "support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public". In addition to high profile awards ceremonies BAFTA runs a year-round programme of educational events including film screenings and tribute evenings. BAFTA is supported by a membership of around 6000 people from the film, television and video game industries.

The Academy's awards are in the form of a theatrical mask designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe, which was commissioned by the Guild of Television Producers in 1955.

Annual Ceremony

The ceremony used to take place in April or May, but from 2002 onwards it takes place in February in order to precede the Oscars. The awards are mostly open to all nationalities, though there is an award for Best British Film and Best Newcomer.

Location

The most recent ceremony took place at the Royal Opera House, breaking tradition as it had previously taken place (since 2000) in the flagship Odeon cinema on Leicester Square.

Multiple Nominations

35 actors have been nominated for two or three performances (for different films, in leading or supporting) in the same category in the history of the ceremony: Miranda Richardson, Anthony Hopkins, Geoffrey Rush, Al Pacino, Robert Redford, Michael Caine, Billie Whitelaw, Walter Matthau, Elliott Gould, Goldie Hawn, George C. Scott, Marlon Brando, Donald Sutherland, Richard Burton, Jack Lemmon, Bibi Andersson, Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Katharine Ross, Lee Marvin, Richard Attenborough, Jack Nicholson, Gene Hackman, Marcello Mastroianni, Rachel Roberts, Katharine Hepburn, Stéphane Audran, Dustin Hoffman, Jodie Foster, Sean Penn, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Winslet, Mia Farrow, Barbra Streisand, George Clooney and Meryl Streep.

Lists of BAFTA film awards

;Film
*BAFTA Award for Best Film (since 1948)
*BAFTA Award for Best British Film (see BAFTA Award for Best Film)
*BAFTA Award for Best Foreign Film (see BAFTA Award for Best Film)
*BAFTA Award for Best Short Film (since 1980)
*BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film (since 2006)

;Crew; Honourary
*BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award (since 1971)

ee also

*BAFTA
*British Academy Television Awards
*BAFTA Scotland
*BAFTA Cymru

References

External links

* [http://www.bafta.org/ Official site at BAFTA.org]
* [http://www.bafta.org/awards-database.html BAFTA Awards database]
* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/B/htmlB/britishacade/britishacade.htm Museum of Broadcast Communications: BAFTA]
* [http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/BAFTA_Awards/ IMDB: BAFTA]
* [http://www.awardannals.com/wiki/Honor_roll:British_Academy_of_Film_and_Television_Arts_Award_for_Best_Film The most-honored films nominated for BAFTA Best Film]
* [http://www.uktheatre.net Up to date news and reviews of BAFTA Films]