Parijat Ghosh 
The 79th British Academy Film Awards took over Royal Festival Hall in London, celebrating the best films from 2025. Hosted by Alan Cumming, the show mixed star power, emotion, laughs, and history in a way only BAFTA can. It honoured achievements in performance, craft, direction, and technical brilliance across cinema from around the world. The ceremony was broadcast live on BBC One in the UK and on E! in other markets, and streamed online too. With millions watching, the evening delivered moments that will be talked about for months.
The Big Winner: One Battle After Another
Leading the entire awards was One Battle After Another, a politically charged drama that walked away with six BAFTAs. It captured the top prize of Best Film, and added trophies in Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. That level of dominance confirmed it as the big favourite of the night.
It was a rare moment where a film not only took the headline prizes but also triumphed in both artistic and technical areas. Film fans and critics alike saw it as the BAFTA frontrunner ahead of the Oscars, and it delivered on that buzz.
Historic Wins and Groundbreaking Moments
Sinners Makes History: One of the most celebrated films of the evening was Sinners, which became the most decorated film ever by a Black director at the BAFTAs. It took home three wins, including Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler, Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku, and Best Original Score. That groundbreaking achievement topped records previously held by 12 Years a Slave.
Hamnet Takes Home British Pride: The Shakespearean drama Hamnet won Outstanding British Film as well as Best Leading Actress for Jessie Buckley in a powerful portrayal of grief and family bonds. This marked a proud moment for British cinema on its home stage.
Indian Cinema Shines with Boong: South Asian cinema had its own shining moment when the Manipuri-language film Boong won Best Children’s & Family Film. The win sparked celebration across the Indian film community and reaffirmed the global reach of stories from diverse cultures.
Standout Performances That Stole the Show
Robert Aramayo’s Shocking Double Win: The night’s biggest surprise was arguably Robert Aramayo, who swept both Best Leading Actor and the Rising Star Award in one historic night. He edged out household names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet to win for his role in I Swear, a sensitive biographical drama about Tourette syndrome. His win was emotional, stunning and totally unexpected.
This was the first time in BAFTA history that an actor took home both awards in the same evening. Aramayo’s raw acceptance speech became one of the most memorable moments of the entire show.
Jessie Buckley’s Emotional Triumph: Jessie Buckley, already a favourite with critics this awards season, cemented her reputation with a powerful Best Actress win for Hamnet. Her performance, filled with heartbreaking depth, was one of the night’s most talked-about acts.
Honouring Craft and Innovation
Beyond the headline performance categories, BAFTA also celebrated technical brilliance. Frankenstein stood out in visual and craft awards, earning trophies for Costume Design, Production Design, and Makeup & Hair. That Gothic spectacle proved that genre films can snag critical acclaim, too.
Other notable winners included Sentimental Value taking Best Film Not in the English Language, Zootopia 2 winning Best Animated Film, and Mr Nobody Against Putin securing Best Documentary. Emerging artists such as Akinola Davies Jr and Wale Davies, winners in the debut category for My Father’s Shadow, embodied the ceremony’s celebration of innovation and fresh voices.
Notable Snubs and Controversies
Big Names Miss Big Prizes: While One Battle After Another still walked away with the most wins, several big stars were left empty-handed. Leonardo DiCaprio missed out on a Best Actor trophy despite heavy expectations. Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan also came up short in acting categories, prompting discussion about BAFTA’s preference for bold, challenging performances over star power.
A Moment That Sparked Reaction: The night was not without its uncomfortable moments. An involuntary outburst from Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson, who appeared on stage to support I Swear, included a racial slur while presenting with Delroy Lindo and Michael B. Jordan. Lindo later criticized the BAFTA organization for its handling of the incident and lack of a clear apology. This sparked broader conversations about how awards shows manage sensitive issues within live broadcasts.
Conclusion: Buzz and Final Takeaways
The 2026 BAFTA Awards were electric from start to finish. They blended prestige with unpredictability, offering moments of joy and debate in equal measure. From sweeping wins by One Battle After Another to historic achievements by Sinners and unexpected triumphs like Robert Aramayo’s, the night proved that awards season still loves surprises.
This year’s ceremony also underscored the global reach of cinema with wins from British, American, Indian, and international films alike. Technical categories honored visual inventiveness and emotional storytelling in equal measure. And while controversies added fuel to the post-show conversation, the overall vibe was one of celebration and artistic achievement.
If awards season has a heartbeat, this BAFTA night kept it beating loud and clear.
Did any of your faves take home the awards or were they robbed? Let us know in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe, and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
