Following Rapman’s criticism of the BAFTA’s and the shocking lack of diversity in their nominations this year, the awarding body have announced that they will conduct a “careful and detailed review” into its voting system.
The talented artist voiced his frustrations at the award ceremony earlier this month which failed to offer any accolades to any of the hugely successful British films released this year which starred black actors or was the work of a black director, including Blue Story which was hugely successful despite pushback from higher powers.
Rapman called out the BAFTA’s which failed to nominate any black actors in the four main award categories and said, “The only time black faces are seen in the BAFTA’s is in the rising star category. It’s meant to be an award for British films but all they ever seem to do is follow what they think will do well at the Oscars. The lack of black faces is ridiculous.”
Amanda Berry, a key figure at the BAFTA’s said she was “very disappointed” by the lack of diversity at this year’s awards and the body also said, “Bafta has been pretty clear that like everyone else, it was not happy with the results of the vote”. They said that a review will take place “in time for voting for the 2021 awards” and added that “everyone who has a view will be heard”.
The criticisms of the BAFTA’s this year follows criticism in recent years of the Oscars, the BRIT Awards and The Grammy’s for a similar lack of diverse representation in their voting bodies and subsequent award nominations.
For more British film content, take in the Blue Story soundtrack featuring Giggs, LD, Skrapz and more.