LONDON, England – BAFTA Awards 2026 crowned Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another as Best Film on Sunday night at the Royal Festival Hall, with the movie claiming six trophies including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The 79th EE British Academy Film Awards, held February 22, 2026, in London, celebrated the best of 2025 cinema and handed major acting honors to Robert Aramayo for I Swear and Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, delivering surprise victories that immediately shifted Oscar momentum.
Fast Facts
- One Battle After Another led with six BAFTAs, including Best Film, Director (Paul Thomas Anderson), Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Cinematography and Editing.
- Robert Aramayo won Leading Actor for I Swear and the public-voted EE Rising Star Award in the night’s biggest upset.
- Sinners took three awards: Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler), Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku) and Original Score.
- Hamnet secured Outstanding British Film and Leading Actress for Jessie Buckley.
Why BAFTA Awards 2026 Matter Now
The results arrived less than a month before Oscar nominations close and less than four weeks before the Academy Awards on March 15, 2026. BAFTA voters, a mix of British industry heavyweights and international members, often foreshadow Academy choices in key categories. Anderson’s sweep positions One Battle After Another as the clear frontrunner for Best Picture, while Aramayo’s double win catapults the British actor into the global spotlight.
British cinema received a powerful boost with Hamnet named Outstanding British Film, highlighting homegrown talent and stories. Ryan Coogler’s historic three wins for Sinners mark the first time a Black filmmaker has taken Original Screenplay at the BAFTAs. Industry insiders now watch how these victories translate into box-office legs and awards-season positioning for studios.
One Battle After Another Sweeps Major Categories
Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic tale of ex-revolutionaries navigating modern chaos dominated the evening. The film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Bob Ferguson and Sean Penn in a career-reviving turn, took home the night’s top prize after leading nominations with 14 nods.
Anderson accepted the Director trophy in his first BAFTA win in the category.
“Anybody who says movies aren’t good anymore can piss right off,” Anderson reportedly told the crowd, drawing laughter and applause.
The Adapted Screenplay award followed minutes later, confirming the script’s razor-sharp dialogue and layered plotting resonated with voters.
Cinematography and Editing wins recognized the film’s visceral visual style and breakneck pacing. Sean Penn’s Supporting Actor victory — his first BAFTA — capped the sweep and sent Hollywood buzzing about a potential Oscar comeback narrative.
Robert Aramayo Delivers Stunning Double Victory
In the biggest surprise of BAFTA Awards 2026, Robert Aramayo beat Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and Ethan Hawke to claim Leading Actor for I Swear. The British actor then won the EE Rising Star Award, voted for by the public, becoming the first performer to take both honors in the same night.
I Swear tells the story of John Davidson, a Tourette’s syndrome advocate whose raw journey inspired the biopic. Aramayo’s transformative performance earned praise for its authenticity and emotional depth. The film also picked up the Casting award, underscoring the ensemble’s strength.
Jessie Buckley and Hamnet Celebrate British Excellence
Jessie Buckley won Leading Actress for her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, the story of the playwright’s wife grappling with the loss of their son. Buckley’s win marks her first BAFTA Film Award.
Hamnet also claimed Outstanding British Film, beating 28 Years Later, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and others. The victory celebrates a major British production with international pedigree, including producers Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes.
Sinners Makes History for Ryan Coogler
Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror-drama Sinners earned three trophies: Original Screenplay, Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku and Original Score.
Mosaku’s win for her fierce, layered performance further cements Sinners as a genre-defying standout. Coogler’s screenplay victory represents a landmark for Black filmmakers at the BAFTAs.
Frankenstein Sweeps Technical Categories
Guillermo del Toro’s reimagining of Frankenstein dominated craft awards with wins for Costume Design, Make-up & Hair, and Production Design. The film’s gothic vision and intricate creature work impressed voters across technical branches.
Additional BAFTA Awards 2026 Winners
- Best Film Not in the English Language: Sentimental Value
- Best Animated Film: Zootropolis 2
- Best Special Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash
- Best Sound: F1
- Best Documentary: Mr. Nobody Against Putin
- Best Children’s & Family Film: Boong
- Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer: My Father’s Shadow (Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies)
- British Short Film: This Is Endometriosis
- British Short Animation: Two Black Boys in Paradise
- Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema: Clare Binns
- BAFTA Fellowship: Dame Donna Langley
Red Carpet and Ceremony Highlights
Stars arrived at the Royal Festival Hall in a parade of couture. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, attended as patrons. Host Alan Cumming delivered a sharp, cheeky monologue that poked fun at Hollywood excess while celebrating British grit. A live performance of “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters and Jessie Ware’s emotional “The Way We Were” during the In Memoriam segment provided memorable moments.
Background: How BAFTA Awards 2026 Unfolded
Nominations were announced January 27, 2026, after longlists dropped January 9. One Battle After Another led with 14 nominations, followed closely by Sinners (13) and Hamnet. Voting occurred in two rounds: round one for most categories, round two for the main four acting prizes and Best Film.
The BAFTAs have evolved since their 1947 founding to become one of the world’s most influential awards shows, with over 6,500 members from 30 countries. The 2026 edition marked the first time the ceremony returned to full capacity post any lingering pandemic adjustments, drawing record global viewership on BBC One and iPlayer.
Career Spotlights on Key Winners
Paul Thomas Anderson, 55, has built a reputation for meticulous craftsmanship across There Will Be Blood, The Master and Licorice Pizza. His sixth BAFTA nomination yielded first wins in Director and Adapted Screenplay.
Robert Aramayo, 33, rose through Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power before I Swear showcased his leading-man range. The double win positions him as Britain’s next global export.
Jessie Buckley, already an Olivier Award winner, continues her ascent with roles in Wild Rose and The Lost Daughter. Buckley’s Agnes in Hamnet delivered the emotional core that voters rewarded.
Ryan Coogler, 39, follows Fruitvale Station, Creed and Black Panther with Sinners, proving his versatility across genres. Wunmi Mosaku’s Supporting Actress win adds to her growing acclaim after Lovecraft Country and The Underground Railroad.
What’s Next After BAFTA Awards 2026
Oscar nominations are expected in the coming days, with One Battle After Another positioned as the favorite for Best Picture and Director. The Producers Guild and Directors Guild awards later this week will provide further clues.
For British talent, the wins open doors to bigger studio projects and streaming deals. Aramayo’s Rising Star victory often launches careers — past recipients include Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Comer. Studios will accelerate marketing campaigns around the victors ahead of the March 15 Oscars.
Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)
Who won Best Film at the BAFTA Awards 2026?
One Battle After Another directed by Paul Thomas Anderson took Best Film and five other awards.
Who won Best Actor at BAFTA Awards 2026?
Robert Aramayo won Leading Actor for his performance in I Swear.
Did Jessie Buckley win a BAFTA in 2026?
Yes, Jessie Buckley won Leading Actress for Hamnet.
How many awards did Sinners win at BAFTA 2026?
Sinners won three: Original Screenplay, Supporting Actress and Original Score.
Where were the BAFTA Awards 2026 held?
The ceremony took place at the Royal Festival Hall in London on February 22, 2026.
Did any film win more awards than One Battle After Another?
No. One Battle After Another led with six wins; Sinners and Frankenstein each took three.
What does the BAFTA 2026 outcome mean for the Oscars?
BAFTA results strongly predict Oscar outcomes in major categories, placing One Battle After Another as the current frontrunner.
Conclusion ,The BAFTA Awards 2026 delivered clear frontrunners, career-making moments and a celebration of bold storytelling. From Paul Thomas Anderson’s technical mastery to Robert Aramayo’s breakthrough and British pride in Hamnet, the night set the stage for an unpredictable Oscar race.
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