Winners and presenters took the opportunity to voice their solidarity with Palestine and call for a ceasefire during the event that took place this week.
British director Eilidh Munro, who secured the Best Short Film and Animation award, encouraged attendees ”to put pressure on institutions and our government” and to “use your voice as filmmakers and artists.”
Additionally, her colleague Finlay Pretsell, a Scottish film producer, displayed a poster proclaiming, "I won't stay silent. Ceasefire now."
Amir El-Masry, an Egyptian-British actor also said: “Before I start, I just want to echo the sentiments earlier in saying my heart goes out to all women, men, and children who are suffering right now in Gaza. Let’s hope and pray that we see peace in the region and an imminent ceasefire.”
Also, while posing on the red carpet, he waved to the photographers while showing "#Ceasefire Now" written on his palm.
However, the final edit of the show, which was featured on the British public service broadcaster's streaming service, iPlayer, excluded any speeches expressing solidarity with Palestine.
The BBC final edit featured the announcement of winners in every other category, including Entertainment, Features, Audience Award, Writer for Film/Television, Television Scripted, Actress Film, Actor Film, Director Factual, Director Fiction, Actor Television, Actress Television, and Feature Film.
Social media users are criticizing the BBC for censoring expressions of support for Palestine during the BAFTA awards, alleging that such actions amount to an attempt to erase Palestinians and favor a colonialist agenda.
Moreover, a viral TikTok is calling out BBC News for censoring support for Palestine. People all over the world are sharing it in outrage against BBC News.
BBC also faced a similar backlash back in 2012 for censoring the word “Palestine” out of a rap song.
Mic Righteous, the rapper, recently took to Instagram to share the video of his censored rap song, saying, "You can censor the words, and the words are heard even louder."
From 7 October until the four-day truce that began this morning, the Palestinian death toll reached over 13,300, including 5,600 children and 3,550 women, with the number of wounded surpassing 32,000.
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