BAFTA Film Award 2026: India’s Manipuri drama Boong wins Best Children’s & Family Film at BAFTA 2026, marking a historic milestone in global cinema recognition.
Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi accepts the BAFTA 2026 award for Boong, making history for Indian cinema in London (Photo: X)
BAFTA Awards 2026: The 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA 2026) celebrated the best international films at the Royal Festival Hall in London. In this year’s awards, one of the most significant milestones was achieved by a film from India, as the Manipuri-language film "Boong" won the award for Best Children’s and Family Film, marking a historic moment for Indian cinema in the international arena.
On February 23, 2026, Lakshmipriya Devi received the award for Boong on February 23, 2026. The award was presented by Paddington Bear, Britain’s favorite bear, who joked that he was the first bear to present a BAFTA award while juggling marmalade. The production, led by Excel Entertainment from Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, marked the first Indian nominee and winner in this category, which highlights the growing influence of India in the international children’s film industry.
The winner of the BAFTA in the Children’s & Family Film category is Boong ✨ #EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/Tn0oh5BKpM
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 22, 2026
Boong triumphed over stiff competition, including:
The power couple of Bollywood, Farhan Akhtar and Shibani Dandekar, made a splash at the red carpet as they celebrated a milestone for India. The couple, who also produced the film Boong, looked stylish as they beamed with pride as they spoke to the international media about their historic win.
The live streaming of the ceremony took place on Lionsgate Play and the official YouTube channel of BAFTA. Indian viewers could tune in at approximately 12:30 AM IST on February 23, immediately after the start of the UK ceremony at 7 PM GMT.
The event night attracted big stars from both Hollywood and Bollywood, including Alia Bhatt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan, Farhan Akhtar, Shibani Dandekar and Kate Hudson. The presence of the stars added a bit of glamour to the event as it honored the best in global films.
Boong is a 2024 coming-of-age drama film written in the Manipuri language and is the directorial debut of Lakshmipriya Devi. The film is produced by Excel Entertainment’s Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani. The plot revolves around a Manipuri boy named Boong and his friend Raju, who embark on a journey to bring back Boong’s mother, Mandakini, who they think is dead, to her husband Joykumar. The film stars Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam and premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, receiving critical acclaim and later making headlines at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne before creating history at the BAFTA Awards in 2026.
Initial Release: 5 September 2024
Running Time: 1h 34m
What is BAFTA?
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards excellence in cinema, television and games globally.
Who directed Boong?
Debutant filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi.
Who produced Boong?
Excel Entertainment’s Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.
When was Boong released?
It premiered in India on 5 September 2024.
Where can I watch BAFTA 2026 online?
Streaming on Lionsgate Play and BAFTA’s official YouTube channel.
