British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) 2013

Jamie Bell, BAFTA 2007

flickr- SPakhrin

The British Academy Film Awards is a high-profile awards ceremony whose intention is to honour and reward outstanding cinematic achievement for feature films produced worldwide and released in UK cinemas. It is generally perceived as the British counterpart to the Academy Awards. 

The awards ceremony is hosted annually by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), an organization that since 1976 seeks to "support, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image."  

Although the awards are open to submissions from all nationalities, a few honours are reserved for UK productions, such as the award for Outstanding British Film and the award for Outstanding Debut by a British writer, director or producer. 

The general film awards include best British, foreign, short and animated film, in addition to best documentary. The award categories for cast and crew include best leading and supporting roles for actors and actresses, in addition to rewarding the best in cinematography, music, production design, costume design and best original screenplay. 

Winners receive an award in the shape of a theatrical mask, designed by American sculptor Mitzi Cunliffe. The ceremony is broadcast on BBC One the day after the event.