Screen International’s group of anonymous voters reveal how they are going to cast their ballots.
Bafta voters
Best film
Director, female: Don’t Look Up. I have long been a fan of Jane Campion’s work, but I’m going to vote for Don’t Look Up for its mad ambition, which I enjoyed, and because it’s making a profound and urgent point that needs to be made everywhere and anywhere it can, and more than ever in the light of recent events. Having those laughs thrown in helps.
Producer, male: Licorice Pizza, because it was the most accomplished, most exhilarating slice of cinema on the list.
Casting director, female: Belfast. A simple way of telling a complex piece of history with strong performances, this film has a lot of charm.
Producer 1, female: The Power Of The Dog. It’s beautifully written, acted, directed, shot and edited. An all-round brilliant film.
Festival executive, male: Belfast. I’m going to vote for it as I think it’s the only film to stop The Power Of The Dog winning, which I still think is a bit boring and overpraised. How many people really watched it the whole way through on Netflix? Not many I know. I do like Don’t Look Up, though.
Producer 2, female: Licorice Pizza. It reminded me of a time longer ago than I care to remember, and has stayed with me since I first watched it.
Best director
Director, female: This is hard. For sheer bravery it is between Julia Ducournau for Titaneand Audrey Diwan for Happening… And I will go for Diwan.
Producer, male: Paul Thomas Anderson for Licorice Pizza. PTA is one of the world’s greats and this was a bravura directing job across the board.
Casting director, female: Aleem Khan for After Love. I really get a sense of Aleem Khan as a filmmaker and can’t wait to see more of his work.
Producer 1, female: Jane Campion for The Power Of The Dog. For bringing all those elements together and for a beautifully authored film.
Festival executive, male: This category is absolutely insane. I’m going to plump for either Jane Campion for The Power Of The Dog or Paul Thomas Anderson for Licorice Pizza as the only sensible choices, and probably PTA… but you never know.
Producer 2, female: Jane Campion for The Power Of The Dog. She chose an excellent cast and her direction of the characters was mysterious and menacing. While it was a little slow, there was a true mastery to the direction and choices.
Outstanding British film
Director, female: For me it’s between After Love and Ali & Ava — two beautifully observed films about Britain today. I think After Love is the one that’s stayed with me longest.
Producer, male: Belfast. A heartfelt, meaningful story about what families do in wartime, in the UK, in recent times.
Casting director, female: After Love. This is my favourite film this year — such a beautiful story about loss and betrayal.
Producer 1, female: Passing. Brave, bold, beautiful. An extraordinary first film from Rebecca Hall.
Festival executive, male: After Love. This category should celebrate fresh talent. I expect Belfast to win, though.
Producer 2, female: Belfast. It’s a black-and-white chocolate box and, while sentimental, really does capture an era.
Film not in the English language
Director, female: This is my favourite list and all of them are deserving, but I will vote for Parallel Mothers. The film has stayed with me. The layering in of the Franco storyline took my breath away.
Producer, male: Drive My Car. The kind of thoughtful, melancholy, emotional Japanese film that reminds us they are often the best storytellers in the world.
Casting director, female: The Worst Person In The World. Lots of great films in this category but this one has stayed with me and I still think about it, so it feels like my winner.
Producer 1, female: The Hand Of God. Just loved it. But it has stiff competition in this category.
Festival executive, male: The Hand Of God. It’s just an excellent film from one of the best directors in the world.
Producer 2, female: Petite Maman. A subtle, tender film that enchants its way through grief. I was captivated and often think of it.
Leading actress
Director, female: I’m spoilt for choice and it’s hard to decide. I loved Joanna Scanlan’s performance in After Love and also Tessa Thompson in Passing. Alana Haim in Licorice Pizza, Emilia Jones in Coda and Renate Reinsve in The Worst Person In The World could happily get my vote. I think it might have to be Joanna Scanlan.
Producer, male: Renate Reinsve for The Worst Person In The World.
Casting director, female: Joanna Scanlan for After Love. This film wouldn’t work without this central performance. It’s a complicated character and a lot is said without dialogue. Truly exceptional work.
Producer 1, female: Alana Haim for Licorice Pizza. It’s an extraordinary performance from a young actor, so authentic and real. But, again, she has stiff competition from Emilia Jones for Coda.
Festival executive, male: Lady Gaga for House Of Gucci. Because the nominations in this category are ridiculous.
Producer 2, female: Joanna Scanlan for After Love. I love love love her.
Leading actor
Director, female: I’m torn, as there are some good contenders. Stephen Graham is wonderful in Boiling Point. I enjoyed seeing Leonardo DiCaprio play this unlikely geeky scientist in Don’t Look Up. Will Smith carried off his role in King Richard with such charisma. But I think I will have to vote for Adeel Akhtar, who gave such an entertaining and moving performance in Ali & Ava.
Producer, male: Stephen Graham in Boiling Point.
Casting director, female: Will Smith for King Richard. I didn’t expect much from this film but I came away inspired by what Richard Williams and his family achieved through hard work and dedication. He was a complicated man and they don’t shy away from that — Will Smith finds a way for the audience to connect with Richard in a way I hadn’t before. I would gladly watch this film and his performance again, which always feels like a good sign.
Producer 1, female: Stephen Graham for Boiling Point. Anyone who can do that in one take deserves more than a Bafta.
Festival executive, male: Will Smith for King Richard. I love his performance in this fun movie.
Producer 2, female: Mahershala Ali in Swan Song. His performance as a man combating grief and deceit stood out. You can see what’s going on behind the eyes.
Supporting actress
Director, female: Aunjanue Ellis in King Richard was wonderful and I love The Lost Daughter’s Jessie Buckley in everything, but I might have to give this one to Ruth Negga for such a nuanced performance in Passing.
Producer, male: Ariana DeBose for West Side Story.
Casting director, female: Caitriona Balfe for Belfast. An honest performance that draws you in.
Producer 1, female: Jessie Buckley for The Lost Daughter. Her performance is beautiful, nuanced and true, with such emotion and depth.
Festival executive, male: Aunjanue Ellis for King Richard.
Producer 2, female: Aunjanue Ellis for King Richard. Captivating and brilliant, she shone in a starry cast.
Supporting actor
Director, female: Troy Kotsur in Coda. I could have watched him for hours.
Producer, male: Mike Faist for West Side Story.
Casting director, female: Jesse Plemons in The Power Of The Dog. This is a fascinating piece of work. He’s so quiet and subtle but he also delivers so much range throughout the film.
Producer 1, female: Kodi Smit-McPhee for The Power Of The Dog. It’s an extraordinary performance. I had to fight it out in my mind between him and Jesse Plemons.
Festival executive, male: Ciaran Hinds in Belfast. I like Belfast more than the other movies.
Producer 2, female: Troy Kotsur in Coda. He made me laugh and laugh and deserves every recognition — one of the standout performances of this year.
Ampas voters
Best picture
Producer, female: Drive My Car. This is more than a film, it’s an experience — one that is original, unconventional, mesmerising, emotional and thought-provoking. It’s the perfect antidote to the cookie-cutter Oscar bait served up by the streamers and studios. In other words, it is cinema.
Producer, male: Licorice Pizza. Just because the Academy needs some levity. Dune and West Side Story are so good, however.
Best director
Producer, female: Ryusuke Hamaguchi for Drive My Car. He is a master storyteller and filmmaker.
Producer, male: Paul Thomas Anderson, Denis Villeneuve (who wasn’t even nominated) and Steven Spielberg all did exceptional work. I’m going to go with Spielberg for doing something out of the box.
Leading actress
Producer, female: Penelope Cruz for Parallel Mothers. She draws you in completely and takes you along on her journey. We are never not with her.
Producer, male: Kristen Stewart for Spencer. She’s such an underdog.
Leading actor
Producer, female: Andrew Garfield for Tick, Tick… Boom!. He’s doing a lot in this role and he’s all-in.
Producer, male: Javier Bardem for Being The Ricardos. He deserves it for The Good Boss as well.
Supporting actress
Producer, female: Ariana DeBose for West Side Story. She’s a major triple threat.
Producer, male: Jessie Buckley for The Lost Daughter. She was the best thing in a flawed movie.
Supporting actor
Producer, female: Troy Kotsur for Coda. Such a warm, humanistic performance. Who wouldn’t want this guy to be their dad?
Producer, male: Ciaran Hinds for Belfast.
Best international feature
Producer female: Drive My Car. As before!
Producer, male: Disappointing nominees. So many better films that didn’t make this list. I will go with The Worst Person In The World, although I think Lunana: A Yak In The Classroom has an outside chance.
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