With so few women-directed films and women-penned screenplays in the running, this awards season doesn’t have much to offer those looking to increase female presence behind the camera.
Yesterday’s BAFTA winners reflect this sad reality: Frozen, co-directed by Jennifer Lee, was the only woman-led project to take home a trophy at the British Oscars.
Though it lost the Best Film prize to 12 Years a Slave, Gravity won the most number of categories with six wins, including Best British Film. It’s unfortunate that the narrative around the space drama has focused almost exclusively on its technical merits, sidelining star Sandra Bullock’s considerable contributions to the film. (She’s in at least 90% of the shots, after all.) As expected, Cate Blanchett won Best Actress for Blue Jasmine, while Jennifer Lawrence won Best Supporting Actress for American Hustle.
Philomena, a delightful dramedy that has struggled to be noticed since its November premiere despite another masterful performance by Judi Dench, picked up the Best Adapted Screenplay prize.
Scroll down for the list of female-related BAFTA wins:
Best Director: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Best Actress: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Best British Film: Gravity
Best Adapted Screenplay: Philomena
Best Original Film Score: Gravity
Best Cinematography: Gravity
Best Sound: Gravity
Best Animated Film: Frozen
Best Visual Effects: Gravity
