The winners
Wicked: Part I
Winner of: Costume Design, Production Design
Nominated for: Leading Actress (Cynthia Erivo), Supporting Actress (Ariana Grande), Costume Design, Production Design, Make-up and Hair, Sound, Special Visual Effects
Experience movie magic at the Seven Sisters Country Park, part of the Sussex Heritage Coast. With its dramatic white chalk cliffs, this stunning setting provided the backdrop for Glinda’s arrival at Shiz University in a pink sailboat, filmed along the Cuckmere River within the park. Meanwhile, the quaint village of Ivinghoe, near Luton, was transformed into Munchkinland, featuring colourful cottages and the iconic Yellow Brick Road. Ivinghoe has plenty to offer visitors beyond its connection to the film. A part of the Chiltern Hills, Ivinghoe Beacon offers stunning panoramic views and marks the start of the Ridgeway National Trail. Waddesdon Manor, a short drive from Ivinghoe, is a French Renaissance-style château not only famed for its opulent interiors, art collection and landscaped gardens, but also for its appearances in The Crown, Queen Charlotte and Cinderella (2021).
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Winner of: Animated Film, Children’s and Family Film
Nominated for: Outstanding British Film, Best Animated Film
Bristol, the home of Aardman Animations, remains at the heart of Wallace and Gromit’s adventures, including their latest exploits in Vengeance Most Fowl. Follow the brand-new dazzling Gromit Unleashed 3 Trail created by children’s charity The Grand Appeal (coming summer 2025), or plan the great getaway at A Grand Way Out, the first ever Wallace and Gromit escape room. For a truly immersive experience, We The Curious, where Aardman previously hosted behind-the-scenes exhibitions, allows visitors to a try their hand at animation. Pop into the Gromit Unleashed Shop at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway and stock up on unique Wallace and Gromit merchandise or grab a piece of Wallace’s favourite Wensleydale at The Bristol Cheesemonger. Bristol is brimming with film and TV history too; its picturesque streets and iconic landmarks have also featured in other film and TV productions like Sherlock and His Dark Materials. Alternatively, head to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal near Wrexham, in northeast Wales. This UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece of engineering provided inspiration for creator Nick Park and Vengeance Most Fowl’s captivating conclusion.
Nominated
Blitz
Nominated for: Outstanding British Film, Costume Design, Sound
London steps into the spotlight in Blitz, a World War II drama that follows a young boy caught up in the chaos of the German bombing campaign in 1940. The English capital has a starring role, with key scenes shot in Westminster, the Docklands, and the East End, bringing 1940s Britain vividly to life. To delve deeper into the history of war-time London, head to the Docklands Museum, the Imperial War Museum, or the Churchill War Rooms. Alternatively, visitors can test their codebreaking skills at Bletchley Park in Milton Keynes – just an hour from London by train. The capital isn’t the only star of the show though. Hull’s Old Town in East Yorkshire, with its Georgian and Edwardian architecture, also added vintage charm to director Steve McQueen’s latest film. Visitors can travel back in time at Hull’s Streetlife Museum, where they can stroll through a 1940s high street or hop aboard a vintage tram. In Kent, Chatham Historic Dockyard once again proved its star quality in Blitz, having also featured in Les Misérables, with several buildings doubling as wartime London. Here, visitors can explore a Victorian Ropery, step aboard a Cold War-era submarine, and uncover the site’s pivotal role in maritime history.
The Outrun
Nominated for: Leading Actress (Saoirse Ronan), Outstanding British Film
Saoirse Ronan swaps city lights for sweeping island landscapes in The Outrun, the screen adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir, which follows a woman’s return to her Orkney roots. Key scenes were filmed on Papa Westray, one of Orkney’s northernmost isles, while Mainland Orkney also features, showcasing the rugged beauty of the Scottish archipelago. Look out for a wild-swimming scene at Inganess Beach, near Kirkwall. Beyond the film locations, Orkney offers plenty to explore, from the Neolithic village of Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar stone circle to St. Magnus Cathedral. For outdoor enthusiasts, a range of cycling, diving, kayaking, and coastal walks prove Orkney is just as dramatic off-screen as it is on it.
Hard Truths
Nominated for: Outstanding British Film, Best Actress in a Leading Role (Marianne Jean-Baptiste)
London stars once again in Mike Leigh’s latest film, Hard Truths. As with all of Leigh’s films, authenticity is heightened by his use of real London locations, immersing viewers in the city’s diverse neighbourhoods, from Hackney to Finsbury Park. Although London’s residential areas and local parks play a pivotal role in the narrative, a major scene is set at the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain in Piccadilly Circus, known as Eros. This lively part of London’s West End is home to world-class theatres, cinemas, high-end shopping on Regent Street, and fine dining hot spots like Michelin-starred Sketch. To delve deeper into London’s rich cinematic history, join one of Brit Movie Tours themed set-jetting tours and follow in the footsteps of film favourites, from Harry Potter and James Bond to Paddington Bear.
