Deadline reports that Spider-Man: No Way Home has failed to meet the necessary eligibility criteria for this year's BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Film Awards.
It appears a Sony Pictures error is to blame because the studio didn't upload the blockbuster to BAFTA's online viewing platform, "BAFTA View," in time to be considered for the awards ceremony. We know Sony is looking to secure a "Best Picture" push for Spider-Man: No Way Home at the Oscars, so this is a definite missed opportunity (the BAFTAs are the UK equivalent of the Academy Awards).
"Spider-Man: No Way Home did not meet the eligibility criteria for the EE British Academy Film Awards 2022 and therefore did not qualify for entry," a statement issued by BAFTA earlier today confirms. "As outlined in our rulebook, all films must be made available to voting members on BAFTA View prior to Round One voting closing to ensure fairness and parity for all titles and the film was not made available by the distributor."
It's possible Sony wasn't willing to make Spider-Man: No Way Home available on this streaming platform because of piracy concerns (Oscar favourites tend to leak online via screeners on a yearly basis) or because they feel this is not the optimum way to experience Jon Watts' epic finale to this trilogy. However, rules are rules, so it looks like the threequel won't be part of the show.
Chances are it's too late to fix this issue, which is a shame considering the movie features some great British actors like Tom Holland, Alfred Molina, Benedict Cumberbatch, and you-know-who.
Will you be rooting for Spider-Man: No Way Home at this year's Oscars?