From One Battle After Another bagging 6 awards to Sinners and Frankenstein sweeping multiple throphies, here's everything you need to know about BAFTA 2026. 

The 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) unfolded with glitz, glamour, and a dash of royalty, at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday, February 22nd. The ceremony highlighted strong Indian representation with Alia Bhatt presenting an award and Farhan Akhtar's production scripting history with his Manipuri-language backed film Boong winning the Best Children's and Family Film category. One Battle After Another (directed by Paul Thomas Anderson) dominated the night with six awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and others. Meanwhile, Sinners and Frankenstein each secured three awards, while Hamnet was announced Outstanding British Film. The event was hosted by Alan Cumming. 

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Here are more details on the highlights of the event!

Alia Bhatt makes her Bafta debut!

Alia Bhatt made her debut as a presenter, stepping onstage in a stunning custom Gucci sequined gown to announce the winner of Best Film Not in the English Language. She kicked off her speech with a warm ‘Namaskar’ in Hindi, charming the audience and adding a desi touch before switching to English. Fans online loved her gesture, calling it an iconic and graceful moment that celebrated her roots while highlighting the universal power of cinema. She handed the award to Joachim Trier's Norwegian drama Sentimental Value.

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Farhan Akhtar-backed Boong creates history 

In another huge win for India, Farhan Akhtar's production Boong- a  Manipuri-language coming-of-age film directed by Lakshmipriya Devi- took home the Best Children's & Family Film trophy, beating out heavyweights likeZootopia 2, Lilo & Stitch, and Arco. This marked the first-ever Indian production to win in the category, making history for regional storytelling. Devi used her speech to call for peace in Manipur, turning the victory into a powerful, emotional highlight of the night. 

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Host Alan Cumming’s apology for offensive language

Host Alan Cumming paused the ceremony multiple times to address unexpected outbursts of strong language from the audience. The interruptions came from John Davidson, a Tourette's syndrome campaigner and the subject of the nominated filmI Swear, whose involuntary tics included expletives and a racial slur shouted during presentations (notably when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were onstage). Cumming handled it with grace, explaining to the crowd: “You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience.” He thanked everyone for their understanding and for creating a respectful space, later adding that Tourette’s is a disability, the tics are completely involuntary, and he was sorry if anyone felt offended. 

Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson shouted the N-word while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the BAFTA Film Awards

Host Alan Cumming thanked the audience for their understanding after several outbursts throughout the event https://t.co/h4Ekla5keGpic.twitter.com/8l6JLh6hHG

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 22, 2026

British Royalty graces the red carpet 

The Prince and Princess of Wales were also in attendance at the star-studded affair, walking the red carpet, in their first public appearance since Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest. Prince William is the president of Bafta and also gave a speech during the event. 

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Big wins from the event

One Battle After Another won Best Film, Director (Paul Thomas Anderson), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, and Supporting Actor (Sean Penn). Sinners received awards for Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler), Original Score, and Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku) while Frankenstein dominated the technical categories, winning Costume Design, Makeup & Hair, and Production Design.

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Here’s the complete list of the winners!

Best Film- One Battle After Another (producers: Adam Somner, Sara Murphy, Paul Thomas Anderson)

Outstanding British Film- Hamnet

Best Director- Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another

Leading Actress- Jessie Buckley – Hamnet

Leading Actor- Robert Aramayo – I Swear

Supporting Actress- Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners

Supporting Actor- Sean Penn – One Battle After Another

Original Screenplay- Ryan Coogler – Sinners

Adapted Screenplay- Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another

Best Film Not in the English Language- Sentimental Value (directed by Joachim Trier)

Animated Film- Zootopia 2 

Children's & Family Film- Boong 

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer- My Father's Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr. (director/writer) and Wale Davies (writer)

Costume Design- Frankenstein

Make Up & Hair- Frankenstein

Production Design- Frankenstein

Original Score- Sinners (Ludwig Göransson)

What are your thoughts on this year’s event? Tell us in the comments below! 

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