#BaftasSoWhite: Academy bosses to review voting system after ‘frustrating and deeply disappointing’ all-white actor nominations
Critics and audiences condemned the lack of diversity when the awards body announced its nominations earlier this month
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Your support makes all the difference.Bafta is reviewing its voting system after the awards ceremony failed to recognise a single non-white actor in its 2020 nominations, while awarding Scarlett Johansson and Margot Robbie two nominations each.
#BaftasSoWhite began trending on Twitter in the wake of the nominations announcement earlier this month, with critics and audiences condemning them.
Marc Samuelson, head of Bafta’s film committee, told Variety that there would be a “careful and detailed review within and outside the membership”, with any changes to be put in place before voting starts for the 2021 awards.
In an email to voters, Samuelson and Bafta chief executive Amanda Berry said the nominations were “frustrating and deeply disappointing”.
“There is absolute openness to change and the organisation made clear its position on the noms and that it was not satisfied," said Samuelson.
"Change is required – what that is, is complex and needs calm, careful thought.”
In an earlier statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Emma Baehr – the director of awards – appeared to blame the industry as a whole for the ceremony’s lack of non-white nominees.
“We’d have liked to have seen more diversity in the nominations, it does continue to be an industry-wide issue,” she said. “I think more films need to be made, and entered, giving people a chance to see them. We’d absolutely like to see more diversity, but I also don’t want to take away from those celebrating today.”
Among the stars snubbed despite collecting awards and nominations in other ceremonies this year were Jennifer Lopez for Hustlers, Eddie Murphy for Dolemite Is My Name, Lupita Nyong’o for Us, Antonio Banderas for Pain & Glory and Cynthia Erivo for Harriet.
Read the full list of this year’s Bafta nominees here.
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