Sacha Baron Cohen

 Maria Bakalova is one of six nominees for Best Supporting Actress in a Film from the British Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (BAFTA).

She was honored for her role in the film "Borat 2". The proposals were announced today and Bakalova is in the company of Niamh Algar, Kosar Ali, Dominik Fishbeck, Ashley Madekwe and Yun-jun Yun.

With homebound nominees appearing by remote video and hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on different sides of the country, a very socially distanced 78th Golden Globe Awards trudged on in the midst of the pandemic and amid a storm of criticism for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, with top awards going to "Nomadland," "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," "The Crown" and "Schitt's Creek."

Maria Bakalova. Photo: Felicity Kay (Public Eye Communications).

The nomination makes Bakalova the first Bulgarian actress recognised on such a level in the film industry. She has been nominated alongside Kate Hudson (Music), Michelle Pfeiffer (French Exit), Rosamund Pike (I Care a Lot), and Anya Taylor-Joy (Emma).

The 24-year-old Bulgarian actress made her big screen debut alongside Sacha Baron Cohen in the comedy sequel, playing Borat Sagdiyev's daughter Tutar and winning much acclaim for her performance.  Fans had called for Maria to be nominated for an Oscar and she could be well on her way in light of the new development with the Golden Globes.  According to Variety, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assoc