Things to do

BAFTA Nominations 2016: Who Should Win?

By CW Contributor on 5/2/2016

Culture Whisper talks the nominations for BAFTA 2016, and who we're rooting for.

We’re used to looking to the US for The Next Big Thing in the film industry, but where the Oscars once reigned supreme, our homegrown BAFTA awards are now as a real contender to their Stateside cousin.

The BAFTA nominations 2016 confirm the new crop of stars – and recognise heritage talent. Rolling in to town on the 14th of this month, this year's BAFTAs is a curious selection, and will no doubt attract the same heady mix of celebrities from across the world at the Royal Opera House ceremony.

After outrage and accusations of 'whitewashing' at the Oscars it's a shame that the BAFTAs haven't stepped up. Notably absent from this year's BAFTA nominations are 45 Years stars Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling (the latter having caused huge controversy earlier this month after saying uproar was 'racist to white people').

Culture Whisper's favourites: BAFTA 2016 Predictions

BAFTA Best Film Nominees 2016

Snubbed at the Oscars this year, we hope Todd Haynes' gorgeous romance Carol is the big winner this year.

BAFTA Outstanding British Film Nominees 2016

AMY is a rare instance of a documentary making the best picture nomination, and paints an honest, uncompromising picture of the girl beneath the media frenzy.

AMY

Ex Machina

45 Years

Brooklyn

The Danish Girl

BAFTA Best Adapted Screenplay Nominees 2016

We'd be surprised if Room didn't make the cut – Abrahamson stays faithful to Donoghue's genre-defying novel in telling the gentlest story ever told about abduction.

BAFTA Best Original Screenplay Nominees 2016

Spotlight never resorts to sensationalist tactics in telling its horrifying story, and instead lets the scandal speak entirely for itself: a triumph.

Spotlight

Bridge of Spies

Ex Machina

Inside Out

The Hateful Eight

BAFTA Best Leading Actor Nominees 2016

Leonardo diCaprio puts in the physical performance to end all others. As much as we love Fassbender, we do think Leo deserves it.

Leonardo diCaprio The Revenant

Matt Damon The Martian

Michael Fassbender Steve Jobs

Brian Cranston Trumbo

Eddie Redmayne The Danish Girl

BAFTA Best Leading Actress Nominees 2016

Maggie Smith may not be the favourite to win, but she's charming as the prickly 'lady in the van', combining eccentricity with a moving picture of vulnerability.

Maggie Smith The Lady in the Van

Cate Blanchett Carol

Brie Larson Room

Saiorse Ronan Brooklyn

Alicia Vikander The Danish Girl

BAFTA Best Supporting Actor Nominees 2016

Mark Ruffalo is a worthy opponent, but for us it was Mark Rylance who commanded the screen in Spielberg's Cold War drama.

Mark Rylance Bridge of Spies

Christian Bale The Big Short

Mark Ruffalo Spotlight

Idris Elba Beasts of No Nation

Benecio Del Toro Sicario

BAFTA Best Supporting Actress Nominees 2016

Rooney Mara shouldn't be listed in this category – she's as much of a leading lady as Blanchett in Carol. But – 'flung out of space' – her performance deserves recognition.