British Academy Film Awards 2017

The Baftas return to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time since 1997. Stephen Fry is also back to host, despite the unpleasantness in 2016 when social media users shouted at him over a mildly discourteous joke. Joyous retro musical La La Land is the film to beat, with its 11 nominations including both the big acting prizes. Emma Stone is probably more likely to win than her co-star Ryan Gosling: while Stone might be able to see off Amy Adams, star of intelligent sci-fi Arrival, Gosling is up against a career-changing performance by Casey Affleck in Manchester by the Sea, an unforgettable study of grief, redemption and family.

The major British contenders are Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Ken Loach’s agenda-setting I, Daniel Blake. Of course it’s all a warm-up for the Oscars, and that includes the acceptance speeches: whether or not Loach wins, they’re likely to be vastly more political than last year.