The nominations for the BAFTA Film Awards 2025 were announced on Tuesday evening during an online event hosted by Mia McKenna-Bruce and Will Sharpe. The news brought joy to India as the film All We Imagine As Light received a nomination, and two other Indian filmmakers also celebrated their nominations.
Sandhya Suri and Karan Kandhari were nominated for their films Santosh and Sister Midnight, respectively, in the category for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer. This recognition highlights the growing influence of Indian talent in the UK film industry, as both films were produced in the UK.
Santosh is a crime drama that marks Sandhya Suri’s first film as a director. Set in rural India, it stars Shahana Goswami as a widow who takes over her late husband’s police job and investigates a terrible murder. The film was produced by British filmmakers Mike Goodridge, James Bowsher, Alan McAlex, and Balthazar de Ganay. It was also the UK’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
Karan Kandhari’s Sister Midnight is a horror-comedy that has gained attention since it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year. The film features Radhika Apte, Ashok Pathak, Chhaya Kadam, and Smita Tambe. It was made with a million-pound grant from the British Film Institute in 2022.
Karan Kandhari is competing against another Indian-origin filmmaker, Dev Patel, who was nominated for his directorial debut, Monkey Man. The three filmmakers will also face competition from Luna Carmoon, nominated for Hoard, and Richard Peppiat, nominated for Kneecap.
The BAFTA Awards, given by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, are considered the British version of the Oscars. The 2025 ceremony will take place on February 16 and will be streamed live in India on Lionsgate Play. The nominations show the increasing recognition of diverse voices in film, and the achievements of these Indian filmmakers are a proud moment for the country.
