The Gala BAFTA ceremony, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London, was a night to remember, particularly for the film „One Battle After Another.” This highly acclaimed film took home a total of six awards, including the prestigious titles of Best Film and Best Director, which went to Paul Thomas Anderson. His emotional acceptance speech emphasized the honor of receiving such recognition, concluding with a passionate call to action: “Let’s continue making films without fear.”
Another standout at the event was the film „Sinners,” which secured three awards, showcasing its impact on this year’s cinematic landscape. Among the notable winners was Robert Aramayo, who made headlines by clinching two awards in a single evening, highlighting his exceptional talent and versatility.
During the gala, Prince William delivered a heartfelt speech acknowledging Dame Donna Langley’s significant contributions to the film industry as the chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment. His remarks shed light on the vital role of leadership in promoting creativity and innovation in cinema.
The list of award winners also featured remarkable performances from various actors. Jessie Buckley earned the title of Best Leading Actress for her riveting role in „Hamnet,” while Robert Aramayo was recognized as Best Leading Actor for his compelling performance in „I Swear.” Wunmi Mosaku was celebrated as Best Supporting Actress for her work in „Sinners,” and Sean Penn received the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in „One Battle After Another.”
The award for Outstanding British Film went to „Hamnet,” produced by a notable team that included Chloé Zhao and Steven Spielberg. Meanwhile, the accolade for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer was awarded to Akinola Davies Jr. for „My Father’s Shadow.”
In addition to these major categories, other films were recognized as well. The Best Film Not in the English Language award went to „Sentimental Value,” produced by Joachim Trier, while the Best Documentary was awarded to „Mr. Nobody Against Putin,” directed by David Borenstein. Furthermore, the animated film „Zootropolis 2” took home the trophy for Best Animated Film.
Family-friendly cinema was represented by „Boong,” which secured the award for Best Children’s and Family Film. Ryan Coogler was honored with the award for Best Original Screenplay for „Sinners,” while Paul Thomas Anderson received recognition for Best Adapted Screenplay for „One Battle After Another.” The Best Casting award went to „I Swear,” highlighting Lauren Evans’s talent in selecting the right performers for the film.
Technically, „One Battle After Another” also triumphed in several craft categories, with awards for Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay, demonstrating the filmmaking team’s comprehensive excellence. Other notable wins included Best Costume Design and Best Make-up & Hair for „Frankenstein,” along with achievements in sound and special visual effects.
Emerging talents were also recognized, with „Two Black Boys in Paradise” winning Best British Short Animation, and „This Is Endometriosis” awarded Best British Short Film. Additionally, the public-voted EE Rising Star award was presented to Robert Aramayo for his outstanding work in „I Swear,” signaling a bright future for this rising star in the film industry.
In summary, the BAFTA ceremony was not only a celebration of cinematic achievements but also a reminder of the collaborative spirit that fuels the film industry.
