The 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) took place on February 22, 2026, at the Royal Festival Hall in London, honouring the best in film from 2025. Hosted by Alan Cumming, the ceremony blended sharp British humour, heartfelt tributes and several unexpected wins that reshaped the awards-season narrative ahead of the Oscars.
Key Winners
Outstanding British Film: Hamnet
Best Film: One Battle After Another
Leading Actor: Robert Aramayo – I Swear
Leading Actress: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
Supporting Actor: Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
Supporting Actress: Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
Animated Film: Zootopia 2
Cinematography: Michael Bauman – One Battle After Another
Original Score: Ludwig Göransson – Sinners
Notable Snubs & Surprises
In 2026, the film Marty Supreme was the notable snub, losing all 11 of its nominations.
No wins for Wicked or A Complete Unknown despite strong buzz in earlier precursor awards.
The BAFTA winners often serve as a strong predictor for the Oscars (set for March 2026), and this year’s results tilt the momentum heavily toward One Battle After Another for Best Picture and Director, with Paul Thomas Anderson looking increasingly locked for director wins. As the 2026 awards season enters its final stretch, One Battle After Another has emerged as the film to beat—and the BAFTAs just gave it a very loud vote of confidence.
-By Manoj H