London :
Paul Thomas Anderson’s politically charged thriller One Battle After Another took center stage at the 79th British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, winning six prizes including best picture, best director, and honors for adapted screenplay, cinematography, and editing. Sean Penn’s performance as an obsessed military officer earned him best supporting actor, cementing the film’s momentum ahead of next month’s Academy Awards in Hollywood.
The film, which explores a group of revolutionaries clashing with the state, went into the ceremony with 14 nominations. Anderson paid tribute to his late assistant director, Adam Somner, who died of cancer during production. “We have a line from Nina Simone that we used in our film, ‘I know what freedom is: It’s no fear,’” Anderson said while accepting the directing award.
Strong Performances and Surprising Wins
Irish actress Jessie Buckley won best actress for her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway in Hamnet, the Shakespearean family tragedy that also took home best British film. Buckley, 36, is the first Irish performer to win the BAFTA for best actress, dedicating the award “to the women past, present and future who taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently.”
In a notable upset, Robert Aramayo won best actor for his role in I Swear, a British indie drama depicting a campaigner advocating for people with Tourette syndrome. “I absolutely can’t believe this,” the 33-year-old said, acknowledging competitors including Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan, and Timothée Chalamet. Aramayo also received the Rising Star award, decided by public vote.
Other Top Winners
Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire epic Sinners and Guillermo del Toro’s gothic reimagining of Frankenstein each won three awards. Sinners earned recognition for original screenplay, musical score, and supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku, who described her role as “a part of my hopes, my ancestral power, and my connection.” Frankenstein was honored for production design, costume design, and the hair and makeup team’s transformation of Jacob Elordi into the monstrous lead.
Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value took home the BAFTA for best film not in English, while politically charged documentaries were also celebrated. David Borenstein’s Mr. Nobody Against Putin, about a Russian teacher documenting propaganda in schools post-invasion of Ukraine, won best documentary, beating other entries including Mstyslav Chernov’s 2000 Meters to Andriivka.
Stars, Royals, and a Touch of Pageantry
The Royal Festival Hall in London welcomed a mix of Hollywood stars, British talent, and even royalty. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, attended and presented awards amid the ongoing scandal involving William’s uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Red carpet highlights included appearances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Glenn Close, and Cillian Murphy, along with fan favorite Paddington Bear, celebrating a musical adaptation of the children’s classic.
Oscars Bellwether
BAFTA winners often signal potential Oscar success. Sinners leads with 16 Academy Award nominations, followed by One Battle After Another with 13. Other heavily nominated films, including Hamnet and Marty Supreme, faced stiff competition and mixed results at the ceremony.
The evening balanced glamour with substance, reflecting a strong year in cinema tackling themes of political violence, personal loss, and societal conflict. Host Alan Cumming noted that the nominated films “felt like taking part in a collective nervous breakdown,” while musical performances by animated band HUNTR/X added levity to the black-tie event.
NBCUniversal Entertainment chairwoman Donna Langley received the BAFTA fellowship, the academy’s highest honor, recognizing her contributions to the global film industry.
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