WWBD?

What would BAFTA do? Will they crown Michael Fassbender as the British Irish European Best Actor this weekend? Or will they play safe, and give someone else the trophy, an American, no less? That question is on the minds of many people these last few days before the ceremony on Sunday evening. Michael Fassbender won the Evening Standard Best Actor award last night, and although he did not attend, Abi Morgan (co-writer for Shame) was there to accept the award in his place, and she read a message from Michael stating that he was "truly honoured and delighted" by this honor. Confident I am in that the Irish Film and Television Awards will bestow the Best Actor to Michael for Shame, there's no need to ponder the outcome. However, I am very hesitant to say the same for BAFTA as they are quite fond of mirroring the Oscars.

A comment in the previous thread by 'anonymous' pose the question if BAFTA would "do the right thing" and give Michael the award, as a finger to the Oscars. I don't know if "the right thing" is the correct question, but rather, it should be, 'do they have the guts'? I do not know. It would be fantastic beyond imagination to read The Hollywood Reporter or Deadline on Monday morning to read headlines declaring Michael Fassbender as Best Actor winner for both the IFTAs and the BAFTAs. The final big awards handed out by the UK academies being won by an actor who was not a nomination thought in America. That would be lovely indeed, but, we'll just have to wait and see.

I will not have a live chat, I'm not in the mood for one. However, I'll just open a thread for each award ceremony and we'll have a 'live comment discussion' instead. Just refresh your page every few moments and that should suffice. Okey-dokey? Good. In case you missed my tweet on this EW article, please read it. Quite enlightening and supportive of Michael.

Go directly IFTA and BAFTA to see the full nominee listing and to find out its broadcast time.