What to Expect from the BAFTA Awards: Insights and Disney’s Asad Ayaz on Oscar Aspirations for 2025’s Biggest Film

A column chronicling conversations and events on the awards circuit.

BAFTA’s film awards are set to occur on Sunday, potentially influencing the trajectory of this lengthy awards season. The upcoming BAFTAs, followed by SAG’s Actor Awards next weekend, come at a crucial time as final Oscar voting begins on February 26 and runs through March 5. The results could reveal trends, yet past performances show that these awards don’t always align.

The newly renamed Actor Awards have notably excluded international films from consideration, which could create discrepancies when compared to BAFTA and Oscar nominations. Films such as Sentimental Value and The Secret Agent highlight these omissions. Historically, BAFTA has had a mixed record concerning its alignment with the Oscars, matching just 10 out of 24 Best Picture winners in the current century. Since 2014, only two BAFTA winners for Best Picture—Nomadland and Oppenheimer—have also won the Oscar, further complicating how the nomination outcomes may affect Oscar predictions.

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The BAFTA’s choice could showcase a preference for British films like Hamnet over frontrunners such as One Battle After Another. This decision is even more interesting given that both have approximately 500 voting members in common with AMPAS, creating potential overlaps. Despite One Battle After Another achieving a clean sweep in the precursor awards this season—a rare feat—Hamnet found success at the Golden Globes by sharing accolades in various categories, enhancing its odds heading into BAFTA.

‘Hamnet’ director Chloé Zhao and producer Steven Spielberg at the Golden Globes

Focus Features highlights that Hamnet has generated over $50 million internationally, recently overtaking fellow nominee Sinners as the highest-grossing BAFTA contender in the UK. With producer Steven Spielberg actively promoting the film, its visibility remains high. Questions linger about how these factors will play out at BAFTA, especially considering the play’s British roots.

PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON ON THE GLIDE PATH

There are expectations that Paul Thomas Anderson will continue to lead the pack at BAFTA with Battle. However, a loss there or at the prestigious Actor Awards could shift momentum significantly. The SAG awards, known for supporting Black-themed films, may favor Sinners for Outstanding Cast, which could impact larger perceptions as Oscar voting heats up. With a unique preferential ballot system, this remains an evolving story.

Clockwise from top left: ‘Sinners’, ‘Marty Supreme’, ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Hamnet’

Regardless of the outcome in the Best Film category at BAFTA, Paul Thomas Anderson remains a strong contender for the Best Director award. Although he tends to keep a low profile compared to his peers, Anderson has received substantial recognition for his work. His recent DGA award reflects the respect he commands within the industry, signaling that his film is still viewed favorably.

Robert Aramayo in ‘I Swear’

THE BAFTA UNDERDOG THAT COULD UPSET

Among this year’s contenders is the inspiring film I Swear, which tells the true story of a man with Tourette Syndrome impacting society positively. Currently nominated for five BAFTAs, including Outstanding British Film, it shows impressive momentum among critics and festival audiences. Robert Aramayo’s performance has gained attention, now ranking second in odds for Best Actor. The film’s lack of U.S. release until April does not diminish interest; its compelling narrative and actor are already being acknowledged as noteworthy by betting markets.

Robert Aramayo in ‘I Swear’

CAN ‘ZOOTOPIA 2’ SURPRISE AT THE OSCARS? ASAD AYAZ HOPES SO

This Sunday, Zootopia 2 could mark a significant moment in its awards journey as the highest-grossing studio film of 2025, raking in $1.8 billion to date. Notably, it has outperformed other animated competitors in various markets. Despite facing stiff competition from the Netflix streaming success KPop: Demon Hunters, which remains ineligible at BAFTA, Zootopia 2 is well-positioned against its Disney sibling, Elio, in the race for the Animated Feature Oscar.

As a sequel to the Oscar-winning film Zootopia, Disney’s latest release aims to resonate beyond children’s audiences. Asad Ayaz, Disney’s marketing chief, expresses confidence in the film’s depth and appeal, emphasizing its universal themes that bind it with varying demographics. As voting for the Oscars approaches, hopes remain high that the film will garner recognition for its artistic and cultural significance.

‘Zootopia 2’

Ayaz notes the film’s rich thematic elements, saying, “It’s sophisticated humor appeals to adults too. There are complex relationships and crucial themes addressing societal issues that resonate globally.”