BAFTA Statement

Published January 8, 2020
BAFTA Nominations 2020

BEATS is disappointed at the lack of diversity in this year’s BAFTA nominations, especially in the acting categories.

We believe that the nominations reflect the lack of diversity in the industry as a whole. However, last year saw a wealth of incredible films from diverse filmmakers, so where are the people of colour in the prestigious categories? In a year when both Parasite and The Farewellreceived nominations in other BAFTA categories, there is surely no justification for the blanket whiteness of all four actor categories.

Awkwafina’s nomination in the only public choice category (Rising Star) for her performance in The Farewell, for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, proves that the problem is not a lack of talent from actors of colour.

We understand that BAFTA has committed to a review of its voting system, and as such, we expect them to be actively seeking to engage with representatives of those minority communities they are currently failing. As the only British East Asian advocacy group working across theatre and screen, we ask that we are consulted as part of the process.

Our statement was featured in the Variety report.