Two films produced by Bristol production companies have been nominated for British Academy Film Awards (Baftas).
Mark Jenkin’s Bait, the debut feature from Totterdown-based production company Early Day Films, is nominated for Outstanding British Film while Aardman's A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is nominated for Best Animated Film.
Bait, which tells the story of change in a picturesque fishing village, is in good company alongside titles including Sam Mendes’ 1917 , Dexter Fletcher’s Rocketman and Ken Loach’s Sorry We Missed You.
It enjoyed huge success on the independent film circuit last year after first catching the eye of critics at Berlin International Film Festival in February 2019.
Following its world premiere at the festival on February 9, the film has attracted widespread praise - described by film critic Mark Kermode as "a genuine modern masterpiece".
Writer/director Mark Jenkin and Producers Kate Byers and Linn Waite also secured a nomination for the Bafta for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director and Producer.
Meanwhile A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is nominated alongside other box office hits including Toy Story 4 and Frozen 2 .
The Academy Award-winning entertainment studio, which was founded in 1972, has won a total of 14 Baftas and four Oscars for the feature films and shorts made in its Bristol studio over the years.
Nominations show strength of Bristol's film scene
Bristol City of Film, the organisation which oversees film in Bristol, is led by Bristol City Council, Bristol Film Office, UWE Bristol, University of Bristol, Destination Bristol and The Bottle Yard Studios.
Bristol City of Film’s Natalie Moore said: "Congratulations to Early Day Films, Aardman Animations and all the talented creative professionals that worked so hard to make these two fantastic films.
"Having two films produced in the city nominated for this year’s Baftas just goes to show the different kinds of filmmaking strengths that we have here in Bristol City of Film, coming from both emerging and established companies.
"We wish the creative teams behind both films the very best of luck at the BAFTAs next month!"
The 73rd British Academy Film Awards will take place on February 2, 2020 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, hosted by Graham Norton.
For more information visit Bristol City of Film's website.
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