The nominations are in and social media is furious

with the prestigious British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards

announcements as every person shortlisted for an acting award this year is

white.

The nominations, announced live in the United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday (Jan. 7), triggered a trending hashtag #BAFTASoWhite within minutes as the Twittersphere reacted to the disappointing lack of diversity.

Lupita Nyong’o not getting a BAFTA nomination for US is actually mad, when she easily gave us one of the best performances of the year. — beth (@bethjadeldn)

Lupita Nyong’o not getting a BAFTA nomination for US is actually mad, when she easily gave us one of the best performances of the year. — beth (@bethjadeldn) pic.twitter.com/QGYHNytdVOJanuary 7, 2020

The ‘Caucasian’ take-over across the four leading and supporting actors and actresses categories did not sit well with many, especially people of colour, despite many talented candidates at BAFTA’s consideration.

Don’t EVER say you didn’t have “options”. — Zach Gilbert (@zachbgilbert)

Don’t EVER say you didn’t have “options”. — Zach Gilbert (@zachbgilbert) @BAFTA #BAFTASSoWhite pic.twitter.com/bS1QIadShuJanuary 7, 2020

The BAFTA Film Awards, seen by many as Britain’s equivalent of the Academy Awards (Oscars), argued it was “frustrated” by the lack of diversity, however, Twitter users have slammed the society for being stubborn – while riding on the coattails of the cultures it repeatedly perpetuates but neglects.

If — Little White Lies (@LWLies)

If — Little White Lies (@LWLies) @BAFTA doesn’t exist to celebrate people like Lupita Nyong’o or Joanna Hogg, then it has no reason to exist https://t.co/1EM15m32m8January 7, 2020

Some social media pundits have taken issue with BAFTA celebrating the past year’s diversity in film in one paltry category – the newly renamed Rising Star Award – which pits actresses Awkwafina and Kaitlyn Dever against Michael Ward, Kelvin Harrison Junior and Jack Lowden.

For others, the controversial, ‘whitewashed’

nods could just be a signal of what’s to come on Monday, January 13, when Oscar

nominations are announced.

“I am BAFTA the White” — Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture)

“I am BAFTA the White” — Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) pic.twitter.com/IzqmHoiFtnJanuary 7, 2020

Marc Samuelson, chair of BAFTA’s film

committee, in a statement to PA Media news agency, acknowledged (for an honest

lack of a better expression, because really) the lack of diversity in this

year’s nominations.

“Clearly everybody knows that

everybody in the four acting groups of nominees are white, it’s infuriating, we

can’t make the industry do something, all we can do is encourage and push and

inspire and try to help people coming in at the bottom end,” Samuelson said.

BAFTA saying they’re “fustrated” at the lack of diversity in their award show nominations. — Laila (@lailaismale)

BAFTA saying they’re “fustrated” at the lack of diversity in their award show nominations. — Laila (@lailaismale) pic.twitter.com/1xZaNTmPHTJanuary 7, 2020

With a lot still going for it, JOKER leads the BAFTA nominations, being shortlisted in a record 11 categories, including best film, best director and leading actor.

Martin Scorsese’s epic mob movie The Irishman and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood both received 10 nominations.

Sticking out like a sore thumb for hundreds of Twitteratti was the fact that Scorsese, Tarantino, Sam Mendes, Todd Phillips and Bong Joon-ho have all been nominated in the Best Director category – which, for yet another year, (despite options) features no women.

I’m so disappointed that Little Women is not nominated for Best Film or Best Director at — Rachel Parris (@rachelparris)

I’m so disappointed that Little Women is not nominated for Best Film or Best Director at — Rachel Parris (@rachelparris) @BAFTA. Everyone I know who has seen it has loved it better than any film for years. It is a phenomenal film, about ordinary women, not about men shooting guns, like 4 of the 5 nominees.1/2January 7, 2020

Greta Gerwig wasn’t nominated for a BAFTA for Little Women, aka the most perfect film I have ever seen, and the nominees are ALL MALE — Fallon Tambini (@fallon1912)

Greta Gerwig wasn’t nominated for a BAFTA for Little Women, aka the most perfect film I have ever seen, and the nominees are ALL MALE — Fallon Tambini (@fallon1912) pic.twitter.com/JXSHP2nJWpJanuary 7, 2020

See the full list of nominations below:

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British Academy Film Awards: The Nominations[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul]

What do you think BUZZ fam? Should more diversity be centre stage at Britain’s biggest night in film?

Do the nominations surprise you?

Sound off in the comments section…and,

ACTION!