Jan. 10, 2024

Bafta Implements New Release Requirements

Bafta Film Awards has implemented new guidelines to align itself with the release patterns in the UK to provide broader access for British cinema audiences. By: Wee Yan Ling

Contenders that are competing in the best film category must achieve a significantly wider reach, with the requirements amplified five times from its current one.

Taking into effect from 2025 onwards, the modification of the eligibility criteria for the Bafta Film Awards for the Best Film category, demands that films must have their initial public theatrical exhibition on a minimum of 50 commercial screens across the UK, running for minimum 7 days or attain the equivalent of no fewer than 350 screenings, including Best Film, need to be displayed on 10 screens for a week or achieve a minimum of 70 individual screenings. 

Is it salient to note that the adjustment impacts solely the Best Film category. Films with more limited releases are still eligible for other categories such as the Outstanding British Film, Documentary, and films not in the English language. If the distributors aspire for these titles to also content in the Best Film category, they must ensure that the release aligns with the newly implemented qualification standards. 

The effect is expected to have a dual impact as Bafta voters who are not members of chapters such as documentary and non-English language films but voting in best films have their viewing burden reduced. 

In 2023, 108 out of 236 features competing for the best film at the Bafta Film Awards submitted across documentary and film not in the English Language. This included 11 competing in both. A significant number have attained or intend to achieve, fewer than 350 commercial showings.

New releases such as Celine Song’s Past Lives and Justin Treit’s Anatomy of a Fall would easily meet the new benchmark. However, stream films currently meeting eligibility by releasing in 10 cinemas for a week will need to adapt to the new requirement of 50 cinemas for future Bafta Film Award consideration. 

Apple Original Films have partnered with Paramount and Sony for the wide release of Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon. However, films like Chirstos Nikou’s Fingernails have been tactfully placed for awards qualification through a more limited release. 

Streaming giants such as Netflix have a more evident impact as Bradley Cooper’s Maestro is qualified as a wide release under the newly implemented rule whereas Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s Nyad would demand a wider release in order to meet the Best Film category criteria.

Before the implementation of the new rules, Bafta had consulted extensively with UK distributors, industry stakeholders, exhibitors, streamers and key players. The goal is to align itself with the release patterns in the UK to make sure that the British cinema audiences have access to potential Best Film contenders on the silver screen. 

Phil Clapp, CEO of the UK Cinema Association (UKCA) has displayed his welcome to the announcement as he underscored the importance of the ongoing conversations and potential adjustments to the eligibility criteria. Bafta intends to announce all other category and eligibility changes with the voting rules in the coming summer. 

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