The 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) took place on February 22, 2026, at London’s Royal Festival Hall, celebrating the best in cinema from 2025. Hosted by Alan Cumming, the ceremony spotlighted films from around the world and offered some major surprises on the winners’ stage.
Top Winners of the Night
Best Film & Director:
- One Battle After Another — Winner of Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, leading the night with six BAFTAs overall, including Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, and Editing. The politically charged thriller continued its awards-season momentum with strong critical recognition.
Leading Actor & Actress:
- Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for his performance in the indie drama I Swear.
- Jessie Buckley captured Best Leading Actress for her role in Hamnet, marking a significant industry moment for the acclaimed performer.
Supporting Wins:
- Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor for his work in One Battle After Another.
- Wunmi Mosaku received Best Supporting Actress for Sinners.
Writing & Other Honors:
- Sinners took Best Original Screenplay, while documentarian and creative awards honoured films like Mr. Nobody Against Putin in the documentary category.
Noteworthy Category Winners
- Outstanding British Film: Hamnet
- Film Not in the English Language: Sentimental Value
- Outstanding Debut: My Father’s Shadow (Akinola Davies Jr. & Wale Davies)
- Best Animated Film: Zootropolis 2
- Best Children’s & Family Film: Boong
- Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash
- Technical Achievement Highlights: Frankenstein won in production design, costume, makeup & hair.
In addition to film-specific awards, Dame Donna Langley received the BAFTA Fellowship — the academy’s highest honour — recognising her transformative leadership in the industry.
Why the 2026 BAFTAs Matter
The BAFTA Film Awards often serve as a key indicator of awards-season trajectory, especially in the weeks leading up to the Academy Awards (Oscars). With One Battle After Another and Sinners earning critical acclaim and multiple wins, these results boost both films’ visibility and influence ahead of March’s Oscar announcements.
In addition, standout individual performances — from Aramayo and Buckley to Mosaku — showcase the diversity and strength of 2025 cinema. The BAFTAs also highlighted international voices (Sentimental Value) and rising talents (My Father’s Shadow), reflecting cinema’s global and generational breadth.
