The hashtag #BaftaSoWhite has been circulating on social media again after Sunday night’s BAFTA Awards.
Anger at the lack of diversity among the prize winners has swelled around a group photo of all the prize winners on stage at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
Observers pointed out that the picture appeared to show only one black person: Alison Hammond, who co-hosted the BAFTAs with Richard E Grant.
Del Walker, a video game artist and BAFTA member, said the photo showed major awards shows “seem to value European storylines about Europeans or white Americans.”
Ashanti Omkar, a TV commentator and BAFTA member, said the group photo caused “deep pain in my stomach”.
Saima Mohsin, a Sky News and ITV presenter, added:
MTV Movies UK presenter Hanna Ines Flint described it as “qwhite a night”, while Bectu union leader Philippa Childs said: “These @BAFTA vote changes have yet to have an impact that I can see.”
The concern follows BAFTA’s commitment to promoting diversity in the film awards process, with chairman Krish Majumdar making it one of his top priorities.
A grueling diversity review resulted in 120 changes to the voting, membership and campaigning process, including an increase in the number of films watched by voters and the addition of 1,000 members from underrepresented backgrounds.
The organization said 40% of this year’s nominees were from ethnically diverse backgrounds after all 20 nominees were white in 2020, when winner Joaquin Phoenix said in his acceptance speech that the industry must work hard to “end systemic racism to truly understand. “
Viola Davis lost to Cate Blanchett in the Lead Actress category. Daryl McCormack, the son of a white Irish mother and a black American father, competed with Austin Butler for the lead role.
At BAFTA there is a feeling that similar winners are crowned at other ceremonies where films by white actors and creators, such as e.g. No news from the western front, is expected to dominate. However, this ignores success Everything everywhere Everything at Once, which did well at the DGA Awards.
BAFTA declined to comment.
Source: Deadline
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
