A cannon at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is fired to mark the end of the day's fasting. Victor Besa / The National
A cannon at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is fired to mark the end of the day's fasting. Victor Besa / The National
A cannon at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is fired to mark the end of the day's fasting. Victor Besa / The National
A cannon at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is fired to mark the end of the day's fasting. Victor Besa / The National

UAE

Ramadan's economic impact is not what matters, say Gulf experts

While fasting may slow some economic growth, many people feel happier, experts say

John Dennehy
John Dennehy

March 26, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

The economic impact of Ramadan in the Middle East is still not fully understood, but regional experts say its effect on the well-being of participants would outweigh any negative conclusions drawn.

Despite several global in-depth studies into the financial disruption caused by Christmas, the month-long period marked annually by Muslims working shorter hours has yet to be seriously studied under the microscope of how it affects national productivity.

Experts have said the lack of good data regionally means Ramadan is “understudied”. However, certain trends have emerged over the years.

“Family expenditure, particularly on food and clothes, increases,” economist and Gulf specialist Dr Frederic Schneider told The National.

In my opinion, [Ramadan's] primary value lies in strengthening the social fabric of the nation
Dr Frederic Schneider,
economist

"Certain food sales peak during Ramadan, such as dates, while other items are consumed less, like caffeinated drinks and tobacco."

Dr Schneider said electricity consumption tends to increase ... because of increased night-time activities and media consumption shifts too, "especially with Ramadan TV shows and associated media [and] ad campaigns".

"That being said, the effects of Ramadan are smaller compared to the overwhelming effect that Christmas has on retail in Christian-majority countries.”

Decades-old data

Globally, efforts have been made to understand the business of Ramadan. A report by Dinar Standard stated the UAE lost about $1.4 billion in GDP during the holy month due to the wind down.

While the study was from 2011, before the days of remote work, widespread online shopping and home delivery, it also showed up to one in four Muslim professionals stating they did not maintain the same level of productivity as compared with other months.

Three years later, a study by the US-based National Bureau of Economic Research found longer Ramadan fasting “had a negative effect" on output growth in Muslim countries but, crucially, “increases subjective well-being among Muslims”.

“We have established causal evidence for a negative effect of Ramadan fasting on economic growth in Muslim countries,” the report found.

“This is accompanied by an increase in the levels of self-reported happiness and life satisfaction among Muslims,” it said.

Markets tend to be busier at Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National
Markets tend to be busier at Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National

The NBER study cautioned that the results should not be interpreted as implying that religion, broadly understood, necessarily causes poor economic performance as trends vary across countries.

In tune with the wider mood surrounding the topic, it said that more studies were needed.

“Economic studies, in general, do find a significant decrease in aggregate economic activity,” Dr Omar Al Ubaydli, director of studies and research at think-tank Derasat in Bahrain, told The National.

“This is driven primarily by people working fewer hours and being less likely to enter the labour market.

“However, there is also a redistribution of gross domestic product from certain sectors to others as people's habits change. For example, people travel less but spend more on food at the grocery store. People are less likely to go to the cinema, but they are more likely to purchase new clothes.”

Adapting work deadlines around Ramadan

As Islam follows the lunar calendar, Ramadan takes place earlier every year and now coincides with the traditional tourist season in the Gulf.

“One thing that has changed is government regulations, which have been relaxed, for example, with regard to secluding daytime customers of restaurants,” said Dr Schneider.

Another long-term trend, he said, has been the gradual commercialisation of Ramadan, with increased retail sales.

When asked if there was there any sector that was negatively affected by the changed routines of Ramadan, Dr Schneider cautioned the effect was more on “consumption and work schedules than on volume”, with many Muslim countries having adapted to the month by finishing some projects by Ramadan and picking up after Eid Al Fitr in the same way as organisations in Christian-majority countries work around Christmas and New Year.

In higher latitudes, Ramadan closer to the winter solstice means shorter fasting hours than summer but the effect is “minor” in the Gulf, he said.

“The largest impact of extended fasting times tends to fall on manual/outdoor labour, but, in the Gulf, this is mostly performed by non-Muslim foreign workers,” he said.

But perhaps what is more important to consider is the impact of Ramadan beyond numbers and economic trends. Even the current studies find that fasting and adhering to Ramadan makes those partaking happier and less fixated on work.

“Ramadan is a complex event whose effects are far more wide-ranging than mere economic figures,” said Dr Schneider.

“In my opinion, its primary value lies in strengthening the social fabric of the nation.”

Dr Al Ubaydli said that “the negative effect on headline gross domestic product” must be compared with the positive spiritual effect.

“The same studies that detect decreasing economic activity also find significantly increasing happiness among Muslims,” he said. “So, it's not all about money.”

The first week of Ramadan around the MENA region - in pictures

Worshippers at Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul. AP Photo
Worshippers at Hagia Sophia Mosque in Istanbul. AP Photo
Stores in the Khan Al Khalili bazaar in Cairo, Egypt, during the first week of Ramadan. Bloomberg
Stores in the Khan Al Khalili bazaar in Cairo, Egypt, during the first week of Ramadan. Bloomberg
A drummer sounds the wake-up call for residents of the Old City of Mosul, in northern Iraq, before the start of the day's fast. Reuters
A drummer sounds the wake-up call for residents of the Old City of Mosul, in northern Iraq, before the start of the day's fast. Reuters
Volunteers prepare food for displaced people to break their fast in Al Qadarif, eastern Sudan. The country is experiencing its second consecutive Ramadan in the grip of conflict. AFP
Volunteers prepare food for displaced people to break their fast in Al Qadarif, eastern Sudan. The country is experiencing its second consecutive Ramadan in the grip of conflict. AFP
A woman offers first Friday noon prayers of Ramadan near the Dome of the Rock shrine, at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem. AFP
A woman offers first Friday noon prayers of Ramadan near the Dome of the Rock shrine, at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem. AFP
First Friday prayers of Ramadan at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab mosque in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
First Friday prayers of Ramadan at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab mosque in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Restaurant staff sell Subcontinent street food to patrons on the streets of Bur Dubai as Iftar approaches. Antonie Robertson/The National
Restaurant staff sell Subcontinent street food to patrons on the streets of Bur Dubai as Iftar approaches. Antonie Robertson/The National
A cleric guides Iraqi devotees as they perform an evening prayer known as 'Tarawih' at the Mohammed Amin mosque near Mosul. AFP
A cleric guides Iraqi devotees as they perform an evening prayer known as 'Tarawih' at the Mohammed Amin mosque near Mosul. AFP
Decorations adorn the streets of the Iraqi southern city of Basra ahead of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP
Decorations adorn the streets of the Iraqi southern city of Basra ahead of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP
Saudi men look to spot the first crescent of the moon marking the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the southern Saudi city of Hautat Sudair. AFP
Saudi men look to spot the first crescent of the moon marking the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the southern Saudi city of Hautat Sudair. AFP
First Ramadan Iftar at the The Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The mosque is named after Umar bin Al Khattab, a companion of The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who became the second Caliph after Abu Bakr and was given the title Al Farooq, meaning someone who distinguished truth from falsehood. Antonie Robertson/The National
First Ramadan Iftar at the The Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The mosque is named after Umar bin Al Khattab, a companion of The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who became the second Caliph after Abu Bakr and was given the title Al Farooq, meaning someone who distinguished truth from falsehood. Antonie Robertson/The National
Palestinians break their fast amid the rubble of their destroyed home during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
Palestinians break their fast amid the rubble of their destroyed home during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Reuters
Volunteers cook together portions of the traditional Libyan dish "Bazin", which consists of a dough made with barley, water, and salt in the coastal city of Tajura east of Tripoli, to be distributed to needy families during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP
Volunteers cook together portions of the traditional Libyan dish "Bazin", which consists of a dough made with barley, water, and salt in the coastal city of Tajura east of Tripoli, to be distributed to needy families during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. AFP
Volunteers prepare to distribute Iftar meals to internally displaced people who fled from their border villages due to ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, at a school turned into shelter, during the holy month of Ramadan, in Tyre, southern Lebanon. Reuters
Volunteers prepare to distribute Iftar meals to internally displaced people who fled from their border villages due to ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, at a school turned into shelter, during the holy month of Ramadan, in Tyre, southern Lebanon. Reuters
People shop for decorations for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at a shop in Beirut, Lebanon. AP
People shop for decorations for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at a shop in Beirut, Lebanon. AP
Palestinians share an iftar meal, the breaking of fast, on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a camp for displaced people in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. AFP
Palestinians share an iftar meal, the breaking of fast, on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a camp for displaced people in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. AFP
Residents queue outside the iftar tent set up by Emirates Red Crescent and Oxy beside the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. Victor Besa / The National
Residents queue outside the iftar tent set up by Emirates Red Crescent and Oxy beside the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. Victor Besa / The National
Mohammed El-Dahshan, a 39-year-old "Mesaharati," or dawn caller, rides his camel wrapped with colored led lights to wake Muslims up for a meal before sunrise, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in the Delta city of Dikernis, Egypt, about 93 miles (150 kilometers) north of Cairo. AP
Mohammed El-Dahshan, a 39-year-old "Mesaharati," or dawn caller, rides his camel wrapped with colored led lights to wake Muslims up for a meal before sunrise, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in the Delta city of Dikernis, Egypt, about 93 miles (150 kilometers) north of Cairo. AP
Egyptians perform an evening prayer known as 'Tarawih' on the eve of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan at Cairo's historic mosque of Amr Ibn al-Aas. AFP
Egyptians perform an evening prayer known as 'Tarawih' on the eve of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan at Cairo's historic mosque of Amr Ibn al-Aas. AFP
Iftar at Imam Hussein Mosque also known as Iranian Mosque in Al Satwa, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National
Iftar at Imam Hussein Mosque also known as Iranian Mosque in Al Satwa, Dubai. Leslie Pableo for The National
First Ramadan Morning Prayer at the The Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The mosque is named after Umar bin Al Khattab, a companion of The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who became the second Caliph after Abu Bakr and was given the title Al Farooq, meaning someone who distinguished truth from falsehood. Antonie Robertson/The National
First Ramadan Morning Prayer at the The Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The mosque is named after Umar bin Al Khattab, a companion of The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who became the second Caliph after Abu Bakr and was given the title Al Farooq, meaning someone who distinguished truth from falsehood. Antonie Robertson/The National
A boy plays with his toys outside the iftar tent set up by Emirates Red Crescent and Oxy beside the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. Victor Besa / The National
A boy plays with his toys outside the iftar tent set up by Emirates Red Crescent and Oxy beside the Abu Dhabi Central Bus Station. Victor Besa / The National
Palestinian man Ismail Al-Khlout reads the Koran as he waits to break his fast while sitting on the rubble of his house, which was destroyed during Israel's military offensive as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, during the holy month of Ramadan, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Reuters
Palestinian man Ismail Al-Khlout reads the Koran as he waits to break his fast while sitting on the rubble of his house, which was destroyed during Israel's military offensive as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, during the holy month of Ramadan, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. Reuters
Muslims offering taraweeh prayers at Al Noor mosque in Sharjah. 11th March 2024 Photo Credit:Ahmed Ramzan for The National
Muslims offering taraweeh prayers at Al Noor mosque in Sharjah. 11th March 2024 Photo Credit:Ahmed Ramzan for The National
A sells cotton candy for iftar (breaking of the fast) on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in the northern Syrian city of Al-Bab. AFP
A sells cotton candy for iftar (breaking of the fast) on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in the northern Syrian city of Al-Bab. AFP
A cannon at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is fired to mark the end of the day's fasting. Victor Besa / The National
A cannon at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is fired to mark the end of the day's fasting. Victor Besa / The National
While you're here
Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20and%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20700hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720Nm%20at%202%2C250rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330kph%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1.14%20million%20(%24311%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Recommended
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Whiile you're here
TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

WHAT IS GRAPHENE?

It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.

Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.

By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.

In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. 

Changing visa rules

For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.

Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.

It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.

The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.

The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.

Tips for used car buyers
  • Choose cars with GCC specifications
  • Get a service history for cars less than five years old
  • Don’t go cheap on the inspection
  • Check for oil leaks
  • Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
  • Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
  • Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
  • Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
  • If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell

Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com

While you're here
ENGLAND%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3EFor%20Euro%202024%20qualifers%20away%20to%20Malta%20on%20June%2016%20and%20at%20home%20to%20North%20Macedonia%20on%20June%2019%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Johnstone%2C%20Pickford%2C%20Ramsdale.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alexander-Arnold%2C%20Dunk%2C%20Guehi%2C%20Maguire%2C%20%20Mings%2C%20Shaw%2C%20Stones%2C%20Trippier%2C%20Walker.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bellingham%2C%20Eze%2C%20Gallagher%2C%20Henderson%2C%20%20Maddison%2C%20Phillips%2C%20Rice.%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EForwards%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFoden%2C%20Grealish%2C%20Kane%2C%20Rashford%2C%20Saka%2C%20Wilson.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Rawat Al Reef, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Noof KB, Richard Mullen, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qaiss Aboud

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Jabalini, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm: UAE Arabian Derby – Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Dergham Athbah, Richard Mullen, Mohamed Daggash

7.30pm: Emirates Championship – Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle

8pm: Abu Dhabi Championship – Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Irish Freedom, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

On Women's Day
Stree

Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

BLACK%20ADAM
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jaume%20Collet-Serra%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dwayne%20Johnson%2C%20Sarah%20Shahi%2C%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Pierce%20Brosnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Baftas 2020 winners

BEST FILM

  • 1917 - Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Sam Mendes, Jayne-Ann Tenggren
  • THE IRISHMAN - Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, Martin Scorsese, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
  • JOKER - Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - David Heyman, Shannon McIntosh, Quentin Tarantino
  • PARASITE - Bong Joon-ho, Kwak Sin-ae

DIRECTOR

  • 1917 - Sam Mendes
  • THE IRISHMAN - Martin Scorsese
  • JOKER - Todd Phillips
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Quentin Tarantino
  • PARASITE - Bong Joon-ho

OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM

  • 1917 - Sam Mendes, Pippa Harris, Callum McDougall, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
  • BAIT - Mark Jenkin, Kate Byers, Linn Waite
  • FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
  • ROCKETMAN - Dexter Fletcher, Adam Bohling, David Furnish, David Reid, Matthew Vaughn, Lee Hall
  • SORRY WE MISSED YOU  - Ken Loach, Rebecca O’Brien, Paul Laverty
  • THE TWO POPES - Fernando Meirelles, Jonathan Eirich, Dan Lin, Tracey Seaward, Anthony McCarten

FILM NOT IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

  • THE FAREWELL - Lulu Wang, Daniele Melia
  • FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
  • PAIN AND GLORY - Pedro Almodóvar, Agustín Almodóvar
  • PARASITE - Bong Joon-ho
  • PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE - Céline Sciamma, Bénédicte Couvreur

LEADING ACTRESS

  • JESSIE BUCKLEY - Wild Rose
  • SCARLETT JOHANSSON - Marriage Story
  • SAOIRSE RONAN - Little Women
  • CHARLIZE THERON - Bombshell
  • RENÉE ZELLWEGER - Judy

LEADING ACTOR

  • LEONARDO DICAPRIO - Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood
  • ADAM DRIVER - Marriage Story
  • TARON EGERTON - Rocketman
  • JOAQUIN PHOENIX - Joker
  • JONATHAN PRYCE - The Two Popes

SUPPORTING ACTOR

  • TOM HANKS - A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
  • ANTHONY HOPKINS - The Two Popes
  • AL PACINO - The Irishman
  • JOE PESCI - The Irishman
  • BRAD PITT - Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

  • LAURA DERN - Marriage Story
  • SCARLETT JOHANSSON - Jojo Rabbit
  • FLORENCE PUGH - Little Women
  • MARGOT ROBBIE - Bombshell
  • MARGOT ROBBIE - Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

  • THE IRISHMAN - Steven Zaillian
  • JOJO RABBIT - Taika Waititi
  • JOKER - Todd Phillips, Scott Silver
  • LITTLE WOMEN - Greta Gerwig
  • THE TWO POPES - Anthony McCarten

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

  • BOOKSMART - Susanna Fogel, Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Katie Silberman
  • KNIVES OUT - Rian Johnson
  • MARRIAGE STORY - Noah Baumbach
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Quentin Tarantino
  • PARASITE - Han Jin Won, Bong Joon ho

DOCUMENTARY

  • AMERICAN FACTORY - Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert
  • APOLLO 11 - Todd Douglas Miller
  • DIEGO MARADONA - Asif Kapadia
  • FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab, Edward Watts
  • THE GREAT HACK - Karim Amer, Jehane Noujaime

OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER

  • BAIT - Mark Jenkin (Writer/Director), Kate Byers, Linn Waite (Producers)
  • FOR SAMA - Waad al-Kateab (Director/Producer), Edward Watts (Director)
  • MAIDEN - Alex Holmes (Director)
  • ONLY YOU - Harry Wootliff (Writer/Director)
  • RETABLO - Álvaro Delgado-Aparicio (Writer/Director)

ANIMATED FILM

  • FROZEN 2 - Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee, Peter Del Vecho
  • KLAUS - Sergio Pablos, Jinko Gotoh
  • A SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE: FARMAGEDDON - Will Becher, Richard Phelan, Paul Kewley
  • TOY STORY 4 - Josh Cooley, Mark Nielsen

CASTING

  • JOKER - Shayna Markowitz
  • MARRIAGE STORY - Douglas Aibel, Francine Maisler
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Victoria Thomas
  • THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD - Sarah Crowe
  • THE TWO POPES - Nina Gold

EE RISING STAR AWARD (voted for by the public)

  • AWKWAFINA
  • JACK LOWDEN
  • KAITLYN DEVER
  • KELVIN HARRISON JR.
  • MICHEAL WARD

CINEMATOGRAPHY

  • 1917 - Roger Deakins
  • THE IRISHMAN - Rodrigo Prieto
  • JOKER - Lawrence Sher
  • LE MANS ’66 - Phedon Papamichael
  • THE LIGHTHOUSE - Jarin Blaschke

EDITING

  • THE IRISHMAN - Thelma Schoonmaker
  • JOJO RABBIT - Tom Eagles
  • JOKER - Jeff Groth
  • LE MANS ’66 - Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Fred Raskin

COSTUME DESIGN

  • THE IRISHMAN - Christopher Peterson, Sandy Powell
  • JOJO RABBIT - Mayes C. Rubeo
  • JUDY - Jany Temime
  • LITTLE WOMEN - Jacqueline Durran
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Arianne Phillips

PRODUCTION DESIGN

  • 1917 - Dennis Gassner, Lee Sandales
  • THE IRISHMAN - Bob Shaw, Regina Graves
  • JOJO RABBIT - Ra Vincent, Nora Sopková
  • JOKER - Mark Friedberg, Kris Moran
  • ONCE UPON A TIME… IN HOLLYWOOD - Barbara Ling, Nancy Haigh

SOUND

  • 1917 - Scott Millan, Oliver Tarney, Rachael Tate, Mark Taylor, Stuart Wilson
  • JOKER - Tod Maitland, Alan Robert Murray, Tom Ozanich, Dean Zupancic
  • LE MANS ’66 - David Giammarco, Paul Massey, Steven A. Morrow, Donald Sylvester
  • ROCKETMAN - Matthew Collinge, John Hayes, Mike Prestwood Smith, Danny Sheehan
  • STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - David Acord, Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio, Stuart Wilson, Matthew Wood

ORIGINAL SCORE

  • 1917 - Thomas Newman
  • JOJO RABBIT - Michael Giacchino
  • JOKER - Hildur Guđnadóttir
  • LITTLE WOMEN - Alexandre Desplat
  • STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - John Williams

SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS

  • 1917 - Greg Butler, Guillaume Rocheron, Dominic Tuohy
  • AVENGERS: ENDGAME - Dan Deleeuw, Dan Sudick
  • THE IRISHMAN - Leandro Estebecorena, Stephane Grabli, Pablo Helman
  • THE LION KING - Andrew R. Jones, Robert Legato, Elliot Newman, Adam Valdez
  • STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER - Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan, Dominic Tuohy

MAKE UP & HAIR

  • 1917 - Naomi Donne
  • BOMBSHELL - Vivian Baker, Kazu Hiro, Anne Morgan
  • JOKER - Kay Georgiou, Nicki Ledermann
  • JUDY - Jeremy Woodhead
  • ROCKETMAN - Lizzie Yianni Georgiou

BRITISH SHORT FILM

  • AZAAR - Myriam Raja, Nathanael Baring
  • GOLDFISH - Hector Dockrill, Harri Kamalanathan, Benedict Turnbull, Laura Dockrill
  • KAMALI - Sasha Rainbow, Rosalind Croad
  • LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (IF YOU’RE A GIRL) - Carol Dysinger, Elena Andreicheva
  • THE TRAP - Lena Headey, Anthony Fitzgerald

BRITISH SHORT ANIMATION

  • GRANDAD WAS A ROMANTIC - Maryam Mohajer
  • IN HER BOOTS - Kathrin Steinbacher
  • THE MAGIC BOAT  - Naaman Azh
Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil

Updated: March 26, 2024, 4:22 AM
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