Apple has been honored with two historic BAFTA Film Awards for its Apple Original Film "CODA," making it the first film with a predominantly Deaf cast to win BAFTA Film Awards.
In a ceremony that took place in London on Sunday, March 13, winners were announced and "CODA" actress Emilia Jones performed a moving rendition of Joni Mitchell's ballad "Both Sides Now," the same song performed by her character in the film.
With a BAFTA Award win for Supporting Actor, "CODA" star Troy Kotsur makes history as the first Deaf actor to win a BAFTA in the category. Female writer and director Siân Heder also lands her first BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Coda follows the story of 17-year-old Ruby (Emilia Jones) is the sole hearing member of a deaf family - a CODA, child of deaf adults. Her life revolves around acting as interpreter for her parents (Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur) and working on the family's struggling fishing boat every day before school with her father and older brother (Daniel Durant). But when Ruby joins her high school's choir club, she discovers a gift for singing and soon finds herself drawn to her duet partner Miles (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo). Encouraged by her enthusiastic, tough-love choirmaster (Eugenio Derbez) to apply to a prestigious music school, Ruby finds herself torn between the obligations she feels to her family and the pursuit of her own dreams.
Siân Heder wrote and directed the film, which was produced by Vendome Pictures and Pathé, with Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi, Patrick Wachsberger and Jérôme Seydoux serving as producers, and Ardavan Safaee and Sarah Borch-Jacobsen as executive producers.
Be sure to watch "CODA", available on Apple TV+.
