On Sunday, February 22, 2026, the stars of the film world gathered under the glittering lights of London’s Royal Festival Hall for the 79th British Academy Film Awards, better known as the BAFTAs. Hosted for the first time by Scottish actor Alan Cumming, the ceremony was a celebration of cinematic achievement — and, as it turned out, a night of surprises, record-breaking wins, and a few upsets that had the audience buzzing.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged thriller, One Battle After Another, emerged as the evening’s biggest winner, sweeping six major awards: Best Film, Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, Best Editing, and Best Cinematography. The film, which led the nominations with a staggering 14 nods, tells the explosive story of a group of revolutionaries clashing with the state. Its success at the BAFTAs is seen by many as a strong signal heading into next month’s Oscars. As Anderson took the stage to accept his directing prize, he told the audience, “This is very overwhelming and wonderful.”
Meanwhile, Ryan Coogler’s horror hit Sinners made history of its own. With 13 nominations, it set a record for the most ever received by a film from a Black director at the BAFTAs. The film didn’t go home empty-handed, nabbing three trophies: Original Screenplay, Musical Score, and Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku. According to AwardsWatch, Coogler’s win for Original Screenplay marked his first-ever BAFTA nomination and victory, a milestone moment not just for the director but for the industry at large.
The acting categories delivered both expected triumphs and genuine shocks. Jessie Buckley, who portrayed Agnes Hathaway — the grieving wife of William Shakespeare — in Hamnet, won Best Actress, becoming the first Irish actress ever to claim the honor. Buckley, already a winner at the Critics Choice and Golden Globe awards this season, could be on track for a clean sweep. “It’s been an extraordinary journey with this film,” she said, beaming as she accepted her award.
But the biggest upset of the night belonged to Robert Aramayo, who won Best Actor for his performance in the British indie drama I Swear. In doing so, he beat out Hollywood heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. Remarkably, Aramayo became the first actor in 25 years to win the BAFTA Best Actor prize without being nominated for an Oscar — the last being Jamie Bell for Billy Elliot in 2000. Aramayo’s popularity was clear, as he also took home the EE Rising Star Award, the only BAFTA prize voted on by the public.
Other films found their moments in the spotlight as well. Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro’s gothic reimagining, dominated the technical categories by winning for Production Design, Costume Design, and Makeup & Hair — a testament to the team that spent hours each day transforming Jacob Elordi into the film’s monstrous creature. Sentimental Value, a Norwegian family drama, won Best Film Not in the English Language, making it the first Norwegian film ever to claim a BAFTA. These victories underscored the international flavor of the evening, with stories and talents from across the globe sharing the stage.
Not every nominee had a night to remember. Marty Supreme, a much-discussed ping-pong odyssey, went home empty-handed despite its 11 nominations, tying the BAFTA record for most losses — a distinction shared with Women in Love (1969) and Finding Neverland (2004).
The ceremony also honored new voices and enduring contributions. My Father’s Shadow earned the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies, marking a significant step for emerging talent. The BAFTA Fellowship, the organization’s highest accolade, was presented by President HRH The Prince of Wales to Dame Donna Langley, recognizing her transformative leadership and commitment to inclusion in the industry. Clare Binns, Creative Director of Picturehouse Cinemas, received the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award, lauded for her dedication to championing diverse and independent films across the UK.
As always, the night wasn’t all about trophies. The ceremony included a stirring performance of “Golden” from the animated sensation Kpop Demon Hunters, sung by Jae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami. The film, which swept the Annie Awards just a day earlier, was ineligible for the BAFTA animation category due to its lack of a UK theatrical release. Jessie Ware’s emotional rendition of “The Way We Were” during the In Memoriam segment paid tribute to those the industry lost over the past year.
Outside the awards themselves, the event was a who’s who of celebrities and royalty. The red carpet saw appearances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Glenn Close, and Ethan Hawke, among others. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, attended in the wake of a royal scandal involving William’s uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who had been arrested just days before. Despite the headlines, William, in his role as BAFTA president, remained a steady presence, presenting the BAFTA Fellowship and representing the royal family amid turbulent times.
The night’s top winners seemed to reflect the tumultuous spirit of the times. As Alan Cumming quipped from the stage, “Watching the films this year was like taking part in a collective nervous breakdown. It’s almost as though there are events going on in the real world that are influencing filmmakers.” Indeed, many of the nominated films tackled weighty themes: child loss, racism, and political violence. Yet, the ceremony itself was more glitz than gloom, with the crowd erupting in cheers for both Paddington Bear — star of a new musical — and the chart-topping animated band HUNTR/X.
In the documentary category, the prize went to Mr. Nobody Against Putin, which chronicles a Russian teacher’s efforts to expose state propaganda in schools after the invasion of Ukraine. Director David Borenstein, accepting the award, remarked, “We always face a moral choice — whether it’s in Russia or the streets of Minneapolis. We need more Mr. Nobodies.”
With the Oscars on the horizon — and Sinners leading the nominations there, followed closely by One Battle After Another — the BAFTAs have set the stage for what promises to be an unpredictable and fiercely competitive awards season. For now, though, London’s film community can bask in the glow of a night that celebrated both the power of cinema and the resilience of its storytellers.