Royal Festival Hall, London, February 22, 2026 — The 79th annual British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) delivered an unforgettable night of cinematic celebration at the Royal Festival Hall, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s critically acclaimed drama One Battle After Another leading the field and sweeping the ceremony with six major awards. Hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming, this year’s event brought together global stars, historic achievements, and a moment of controversy that sparked intense debate across social media and industry circles.
One Battle After Another Takes Top Honors
The politically charged film One Battle After Another emerged as the big winner of the night, clinching six BAFTAs, including Best Film, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn. The film’s dominance confirmed its status as the standout title in this year’s awards season, beating out other strong contenders such as Hamnet and Sinners.
Leading Performances and Breakthrough Moments
In the acting categories, several standout wins thrilled audiences and critics alike:
- Best Leading Actor went to Robert Aramayo for his performance in I Swear, a surprise upset over heavy favorites including Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. Aramayo also took home the EE Rising Star Award, the sole category voted for by the public.
- Best Leading Actress was awarded to Jessie Buckley for her captivating role in Hamnet, giving the internationally acclaimed film additional recognition.
- Best Supporting Actress was won by Wunmi Mosaku for her work in Sinners.
Other notable awards included Frankenstein scoring three technical and design honors, and My Father’s Shadow taking home Outstanding British Debut.
Star Power on the Red Carpet
A glamorous red carpet set the tone for the evening as film icons and international celebrities arrived in London. Among those present were Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Hudson, Alia Bhatt, and other high‑profile names lighting up the Royal Festival Hall with their fashion statements and support for the festivities.
Special attention also fell on the first joint public appearance in some time of Prince William and Princess Kate, who attended as guests of honour and presented the BAFTA Fellowship to studio executive Dame Donna Langley in recognition of her lifelong contributions to cinema.
Controversy and Conversations: Tourette’s Outburst Incident
The night was not without its share of controversy. In a moment that startled audiences, BAFTA guest and Tourette’s syndrome advocate John Davidson involuntarily shouted a racial slur during the live broadcast while presenters Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were onstage. Host Alan Cumming paused the ceremony to explain Davidson’s condition and asked the audience for understanding, while the BBC issued an apology after the slur aired on both broadcast and streaming platforms.
The incident ignited public debate about disability representation, broadcast censorship, and inclusivity at high‑profile events, drawing criticism from prominent actors including Jamie Foxx and Wendell Pierce.
Looking Ahead
As cinema’s awards season marches toward the Academy Awards (Oscars) next month, the outcomes from the BAFTAs are certain to fuel conversations about frontrunners and surprises. With One Battle After Another leading the pack, industry observers and film lovers around the world will be watching closely as the momentum builds toward Hollywood’s biggest night.
