The 2026 EE British Academy Film Awards delivered a night of high drama and star power, with One Battle After Another emerging as the evening’s dominant force, clinching Best Film and securing major wins across directing, acting and screenplay categories.
The epic drama, helmed by Paul Thomas Anderson, was crowned Best Film in a fiercely competitive field that included Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Valueand Sinners. Anderson also took home Best Director, adding to his film’s commanding presence throughout the ceremony. The film’s layered exploration of conflict and consequence resonated strongly with BAFTA voters, who further honoured Anderson with the Adapted Screenplay award.
In the acting categories, the night belonged to rising and established talent alike. Robert Aramayo enjoyed a breakthrough double triumph. He won Leading Actor for his performance in I Swear, portraying a morally conflicted protagonist with a mix of vulnerability and intensity that clearly impressed voters. Earlier in the awards season, Aramayo had been tipped as one to watch; by the end of the night, he had cemented that status by also claiming the EE Rising Star Award, the only prize voted for by the public. The dual recognition marks a pivotal moment in the British actor’s career.
Leading Actress went to Jessie Buckley for her deeply affecting performance in Hamnet. Buckley’s portrayal of grief and resilience in the literary adaptation was widely praised for its emotional precision. Her win added a major accolade to the film’s haul and reinforced her reputation as one of the most compelling performers of her generation.
The supporting categories also produced standout moments. Sean Penn claimed Supporting Actor for his commanding turn in One Battle After Another, further bolstering the film’s awards tally. Meanwhile, Supporting Actress went to Wunmi Mosaku for her performance in Sinners, a role that blended quiet strength with simmering intensity and earned widespread critical acclaim.
Screenwriting honours reflected the diversity of storytelling celebrated this year. While Anderson triumphed in Adapted Screenplay, the Original Screenplay award went to Ryan Coogler for Sinners. Coogler’s script was praised for its moral complexity and taut structure, and he was also nominated in the Best Director category, underscoring the film’s creative impact.
Elsewhere, Norwegian drama Sentimental Value secured Best Film Not in the English Language, continuing its strong international showing this season. In animation, Zootropolis 2 charmed voters to win Best Animated Film, while the technical categories saw multiple honours for Frankenstein, which dominated in production design, costume design and make-up and hair.
The ceremony also highlighted emerging British talent. My Father’s Shadow, directed by Akinola Davies Jr, won Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer — a reminder of BAFTA’s commitment to nurturing new voices alongside established auteurs.
But the overarching narrative of the night was the sweep of One Battle After Another. With victories spanning Best Film, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor, Editing and Cinematography, the film stood head and shoulders above a competitive field. Its blend of intimate character study and sweeping scale clearly struck a chord with voters.
As the curtain fell on this year’s ceremony, the message was clear: bold filmmaking and fearless performances defined the 2026 BAFTAs, with a mix of emerging talent and seasoned artists shaping a memorable night for British and international cinema alike.
