The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) illuminated London with its prestigious annual celebration of screen artistry on Sunday, February 22, 2026. This glittering event, held under the familiar chandeliers of the Royal Albert Hall, transformed into a night where prestige collided with plot twists, and victory speeches were punctuated by shocking snubs. While the setting remained classic, the narrative of the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards proved utterly unpredictable, blending cinematic triumph with royal drama and unexpected outcomes.
A Royal Return to the Red Carpet
One of the most talked-about moments of the evening was the highly anticipated return of Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, to the BAFTA red carpet. Their appearance marked the first joint attendance at the awards in three years, a significant moment following the arrest of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, over allegations of sharing confidential material with the late convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein. The royal couple's presence added a layer of glamour and intrigue, drawing global attention and symbolizing a return to normalcy amidst past controversies.
Dominant Victories and Surprising Snubs
The ceremony unfolded with a mix of expected wins and startling omissions. The epic film One Battle After Another emerged as the night's big winner, securing the coveted Best Film award along with honors for Director (Paul Thomas Anderson), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, and Editing. This sweeping drama solidified its place as a cinematic powerhouse, overshadowing other heavily tipped contenders.
Key Award Highlights
In the acting categories, Jessie Buckley claimed Leading Actress for her role in Hamnet, which also won Outstanding British Film. Robert Aramayo took home Leading Actor for I Swear and the EE Rising Star Award via public vote, making him a double winner. Supporting Actress went to Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, while Sean Penn earned Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another.
Other notable winners included Frankenstein for Costume Design, Production Design, and Make-up & Hair; Avatar: Fire and Ash for Special Visual Effects; and Zootropolis 2 as Animated Film. The documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin and the film not in the English language Sentimental Value also received accolades, showcasing the diversity of this year's entries.
Complete List of BAFTA 2026 Winners
- Best Film — One Battle After Another
- Outstanding British Film — Hamnet
- Leading Actress — Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
- Leading Actor — Robert Aramayo (I Swear)
- Supporting Actress — Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)
- Supporting Actor — Sean Penn (One Battle After Another)
- Director — Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
- Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer — My Father’s Shadow
- Film Not in the English Language — Sentimental Value
- Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema — Claire Binns
- Documentary — Mr Nobody Against Putin
- Animated Film — Zootropolis 2
- Children’s & Family Film — Boong
- Original Screenplay — Sinners
- Adapted Screenplay — One Battle After Another
- EE Rising Star Award (Public Vote) — Robert Aramayo
- Original Score — Sinners (Ludwig Göransson)
- Casting — I Swear
- Cinematography — One Battle After Another
- Costume Design — Frankenstein
- Editing — One Battle After Another
- Production Design — Frankenstein
- Make-up & Hair — Frankenstein
- Sound — F1
- Special Visual Effects — Avatar: Fire and Ash
- British Short Film — This Is Endometriosis
- British Short Animation — Two Black Boys in Paradise
The 2026 BAFTA Awards not only celebrated excellence in film but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of awards season, with royal appearances and surprise results ensuring this London night will be remembered as a landmark event in British cinematic history.
