London: Actress Vanessa Kirby wowed at the Charles Finch & Chanel Pre-BAFTA Party, attended by celebrities including Lily James and Ellie Bamber. The event precedes the prestigious EE BAFTA Film Awards, featuring nominated films like ‘Conclave’ and a new category for Children’s & Family films.
Vanessa Kirby made a striking appearance as she led the guest list at the Charles Finch & Chanel Pre-BAFTA Party held on Saturday evening at 5 Hertford Street in London. The event saw numerous celebrities in attendance as they gathered to celebrate ahead of the prestigious EE BAFTA Film Awards.
The 36-year-old actress wore a sophisticated black draped gown featuring a high neck that gracefully fell to her knees, complemented by gathered white panels. Kirby completed her ensemble with classic stiletto heels and styled her hair in soft, Hollywood-style waves, embodying elegance and poise.
Among the other notable figures present were 35-year-old Lily James, who opted for a chic bouclé two-piece set by Chanel, which included a cropped jacket and a matching skirt. James elevated her stature with back heels and accessorised with a small clutch bag adorned with a silver chain. Actress Ellie Bamber was also seen joining the star-studded gathering.
The forthcoming EE BAFTA Film Awards, scheduled for Sunday, will celebrate the best films of the year, alongside the talented creatives behind them. This year marks a shift in venue for the awards, moving from the Royal Albert Hall to the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, where the ceremony will be held once again.
With 25 competitive categories, the award winners are decided by members of BAFTA. Significant changes to the event include the introduction of a new Children’s & Family Film category, which aims to honour films appealing to inter-generational audiences, the first addition in five years. Additionally, an updated voting process has been unveiled for the Outstanding British Film category.
Leading the nominations are the thriller “Conclave,” which has garnered a record-breaking 12 nominations across various categories, followed closely by “Emilia Perez,” with 11 nominations, and “The Brutalist,” which has received nine. “Conclave,” featuring an ensemble cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini, explores the intricate dynamics surrounding a high-stakes papal election.
Despite its critical acclaim, “Gladiator 2” has faced a setback, as it was overlooked for Best Film, and its lead actor Paul Mescal, aged 28, did not secure a spot on the Best Actor longlist. In contrast, Demi Moore, 62, who recently received her first acting accolade at the Golden Globes for her role in “Substance,” has been nominated for Leading Actress, alongside Cynthia Erivo for “Wicked” and Saoirse Ronan for “The Outrun.”
Competition remains fierce in the Supporting Actor category, where Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin, both from the series “Succession,” will contend for their performances in “A Real Pain” and the Trump biopic “The Apprentice.”
The nominations for the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award have highlighted Marisa Abela for her portrayal of Amy Winehouse in the upcoming film “Back To Black,” along with her former castmates from “Industry,” David Jonsson and Nabhaan Rizwan.
Sara Putt, the BAFTA chairwoman, commented on the diversity of this year’s nominations, stating to the PA news agency, “But then also, when you look at the 10 films in best film, I think you’ve got six different genres in there.” She noted the inclusion of various genres including sci-fi, comedy, horror, and musicals, attributing it to an impressive range of film offerings.
This year’s BAFTA awards will be hosted for the second consecutive time by actor David Tennant, who previously took over from Richard E Grant. Tennant’s first hosting stint garnered significant attention, with the ceremony being watched by over 3.8 million viewers at home, and more than 20 million views on social media for highlights.
In a notable development for the royal family, the Princess of Wales is expected to return to her public duties, with an anticipated appearance at the awards. Following her absence last year due to health concerns, an insider has revealed that there is a concerted effort to secure her presence at the ceremony.
The 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7 pm on Sunday, February 16.
Source: Noah Wire Services
