Bafta denies ‘Selma’s’ lack of nomination ‘a racist snub’

The lack of a Bafta nomination for Martin Luther King Jr biopic Selma was not a “racist snub”, the head of the academy has said.

Amanda Berry said she was “upset” critics had claimed the film, which stars British talent David Oyelowo, was the victim of a snub by the organisation, even though its US equivalent, the Oscars, nominated it for two awards.

In an interview with The Observer, she insisted it was because its release was too late to make the shortlist for the awards, which will be handed out next weekend.

Oyelowo, 38, plays Martin Luther King Jr in the film which charts the civil rights leader’s three-month campaign in Selma, Alabama.

Oyelowo said “it would have been nice” if the film was nominated.

Ms Berry, Bafta’s chief executive, said: “I get quite upset when people say it was a racist snub. The film wasn’t delivered until the end of November and there were only three screenings before the voting started. Last year we flew David in to present and we absolutely recognised his talent.”

Ms Berry said the film industry should be as diverse as possible amid an ongoing debate about opportunities for actors from ethnic and working-class backgrounds.