MetFilm School at the 2024 BAFTA Awards
By Elise Czyzowska
20 February 2024
Over the weekend, the world of film collected at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall for the 77th British Academy Film & Television Arts Awards, hosted by BAFTA-winning actor David Tennant.
With Oppenheimer, Poor Things and The Zone of Interest among the ‘big winners’ of the night, we were proud to see the MetFilm School community across the nominees. As MetFilm Director, Jonny Persey, said:
We look forward to Awards Season every year. On top of those we know, we always discover stories of our graduates progressing in their careers – and this year, with 24 graduates credited across 11 of the BAFTA-nominated films, is no exception.
We’re also proud to see Mia McKenna Bruce winning the EE Rising Star Award, having presented her with Breakthrough Performer of the Year at the London Critics Circle Awards just two weeks ago.
Presenting the BAFTA for Best Film, Michael J. Fox was met by a standing ovation as he announced this year’s winner, Oppenheimer. During his speech, Fox also reflected on the power of cinema, a reminder of why we are all in this industry, and a common theme throughout the evening:
‘No matter who you are or where you’re from’, Fox began, ‘these films can bring us together.’ He continued:
‘There’s a reason why they say movies are magic. Because a movie can change your day. It can change your outlook. It can sometimes even change your life.’
Alongside Best Film, Oppenheimer also took home Best Director for Christopher Nolan, Best Leading Actor for Cillian Murphy, and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr., as well as Best Cinematography, Editing, and Original Score.
The longest IMAX 70mm film ever produced, Oppenheimer – both alone, and as part of the ‘Barbenheimer’ mania, helped to bring about a resurgence of cinema visits, garnering $952.04m at the global box office (alongside Barbie‘s $1.45bn).
IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond even estimated that, in North America IMAX screenings made up 30% of the entire Oppenheimer box office – despite IMAX theatres only making up around 1% of all theatres in North America.
One award we were particularly pleased to see at the 2024 BAFTAs was the EE Rising Star Award, which went to Mia McKenna-Bruce for her role in How to Have Sex.
In her acceptance speech, Mia thanked the cast and crew of the film, highlighting the impact that the coming-of-age drama has had on audiences worldwide:
‘Thank you Team How to Have Sex’, she began, ‘for giving me the chance to play Tara, and for making me and so many other people feel seen with this film’.
For her role as Tara, Mia has also won Best Lead Performance at the British Independent Film Awards, and just two weeks ago, she was awarded Breakthrough Performer of the Year by MetFilm Director, Jonny Persey, at the London Critics Circle Awards.
Our Graduates at the BAFTAs!
Adding to the celebration, MetFilm School graduates could be found credited on many of this year’s nominations. To name a few…
- Carlo Cosio (MA Producing): Production Assistant on The Killers of the Flower Moon
- Samuel Hayes (BA Practical Filmmaking – 2 Years): Second AC: B Camera, Main Unit on Napoleon
- Maddalena McNicholas (Eight Week From Story to Screen): Set Decoration Assistant on Barbie
- Lana Naoum (BA Practical Filmmaking – 3 Years): Runner on Such A Lovely Day
- Daniele Tartacca (MA Cinematography): DIT Utility on Ferrari
- Guy Trevellyan (MA Producing): Additional 3rd AD: Dailies on Barbie
- Callum Crawford (Six Month Practical Filmmaking): Additional Crowd 3rd AD: UK on Maestro
Congratulations to each and every person involved in the nominated films at the BAFTA Awards!
Photo Credits included in this blog: Getty Images via BAFTA Press Images & Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images f Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BAFTA
Hero Image: Sheila Atim attending the 2024 BAFTAs. Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA
