Another awards show is generating controversy for its lack of diversity.
Tuesday the BAFTA awards nominations were unveiled and not a single person of color was nominated in the acting categories nor were any women nominated in the directing categories. Following the announcement of the nominations, the hashtag #BAFTAsSoWhite began trending on social media.
“The lack of diversity in today’s nominations is hugely disappointing to see. Our year-round activity has many strands that focus on diversity,” BAFTA CEO Amanda Berry said in a statement. “It’s clear there is much more to be done and we plan to double down on our efforts to affect real change and to continue to support and encourage the industry on the urgency of doing so much more.”
Some major snubs in the acting categories include Alfre Woodard in Clemency, Lupita Nyong’o in Us, Awkwafina in The Farewell, Jonathan Majors in The Last Black Man In San Francisco and Eddie Murphy in Dolemite Is My Name. While some major snubs in the directing categories include Mati Diop for Atlantics, Alma Har’el for Honey Boy, Marielle Heller for A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood, Celine Sciamma for Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Lorene Scafaria for Hustlers, Melina Matsoukas for Queen and Slim and Chinonye Chukwu for Clemency.
In an interview with Variety, Marc Samuelson, chair of the BAFTA film committee, did not mince words on his take on the nominations.
“Infuriating lack of diversity in the acting categories,” he said to Variety. “It’s just a frustration that the industry is not moving as fast as certainly the whole BAFTA team would like it to be.”
READ MORE:
‘When They See Us’ Completely Shut Out Of Golden Globes In A Year Of Almost All-White Nominees
‘Queen & Slim’ Director Melina Matsoukas Says Golden Globes Voters Refused To See Film
Photo: BAFTA
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