Children’s and family films will now have their own dedicated category at the Bafta film awards. This new award is open to any genre of film that Bafta describes as having a “specific inter-generational appeal to children, young people, and adults.” Eligible films will have a certificate rating of U, PG, or 12A. This is the first new film category introduced by Bafta in five years and will be awarded for the first time in 2025.
Films can be nominated in multiple categories. For instance, “Inside Out 2,” which recently became the highest-grossing animated film ever, could be nominated for both best animation and best children’s film. Other possible nominees for the new category include the eagerly awaited “Paddington in Peru,” set for release in November, and “Despicable Me 4.”
Deadline reports that similar family-focused awards will soon be added to Bafta’s TV awards. Bafta has also implemented several other changes for next year’s February ceremony. The rules for the number of theatrical screenings required for films nominated in the best film category have been updated. Instead of needing to be screened at least 10 times per day for a week, films must now be shown on at least 50 commercial screens in the UK for at least seven days, totaling at least 350 screenings.
For the best British film category, a new points-based system will provide clearer guidance on how films qualify. The 78th edition of the awards will take place on 16 February 2025.
