BAFTA 2026 Winners: Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another swept the 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards with six trophies, including Best Film, edging out Hamnet and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. Robert Aramayo shocked by snatching Leading Actor from Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet in I Swear, as Prince William presented top honors amid red carpet buzz.
What Does BAFTA Stands for – Full Form
BAFTA stands for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. It is an independent charity and trade association founded in 1947 that supports, promotes, and develops the art forms of the moving image—specifically film, television, and video games—in the United Kingdom.
Top 10 BAFTA 2026 Winners Ranked by Shock Factor
1. One Battle After Another (6 Wins): Best Film, Director (Paul Thomas Anderson), Cinematography, Editing, Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Adapted Screenplay. Anderson blasted: “Anybody who says movies aren’t good anymore can piss right off… Let’s keep making things without fear.” Tribute to late producer Adam Somner: “You may think your greatest export was Alfred Hitchcock… but to me it was Adam Somner.”
2. I Swear (2 Wins): Leading Actor (Robert Aramayo), Casting. Upset beat DiCaprio, Chalamet, Hawke, Jordan. Tearful Aramayo: “I can’t believe I’m in the same category as you never mind being stood here.” Real-life subject John Davidson shouted during show.
3. Sinners (3 Wins): Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler, first Black winner), Original Score, Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku). Mosaku: “Ryan, like preacher boy, your gift comes from home… I felt the presence of the ancestors’ pride.”
4. Hamnet (2 Wins): Outstanding British Film, Leading Actress (Jessie Buckley, first Irish woman). Buckley on grief role: “This is such an incredible honour… I promise to continue to be disobedient” for her daughter.
5. Zootopia 2: Best Animated Film. Director Jared Bush: “Stories have incredible power… our differences are not insurmountable.”
6. Frankenstein: Costume Design, Production Design, Makeup & Hair (Guillermo del Toro).
7. Sentimental Value: Film Not in English Language (Joachim Trier): “First time a Norwegian film wins… films made for deep, humanist viewing.”
8. Mr Nobody Against Putin: Best Documentary. Co-director: “Courage is found in unlikely places” honoring Russian teacher Pavel Talankin.
9. My Father’s Shadow: Outstanding Debut (Akinola Davies Jr): “Archive your stories… free Palestine.”
10. Donna Langley: BAFTA Fellowship from Prince William; first Hollywood studio boss honored.
7 Epic BAFTA Upsets That Had Everyone Gasping
- Robert Aramayo over DiCaprio/Chalamet in Leading Actor.
- Sean Penn beats Mescal/Skarsgård for Supporting Actor (absent).
- Wunmi Mosaku tops Teyana Taylor favorite in Supporting Actress.
- Ryan Coogler first Black Original Screenplay winner.
- Hamnet shut out of Best Film despite Buckley/Zhao hype.
- One Battle After Another’s 14 noms yield 6 wins, denying Sinners more.
- No Paul Mescal, despite buzz.
5 Juiciest Host Alan Cumming One-Liners
- On films: “Like taking part in a collective nervous breakdown.”
- Zootopia 2 plot: “Lies, corrupt leaders, poisoning… Too soon, Disney.”
- Real world nod: “Events influencing filmmakers… Ring any bells for Americans?”
- Amid Davidson outbursts: Thanked audience understanding.
- Opened recapping contenders with Traitors flair.
Star Quotes Stealing the Spotlight
- Anderson on freedom: Nina Simone line – “I know what freedom is, it’s no fear.”
- Buckley to Zhao/O’Farrell: “You are making history… thank you for this gift.”
- Coogler advice: “Think of someone you see in pain and help them feel better.”
- Mosaku ancestral: “A part of my hopes… I thought I lost as an immigrant.”
- Trier empathy: “Encouraged empathy and curiosity.”
| Film | Key Wins | Star Power | Oscar Buzz |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Battle After Another | 6 (Best Film, Director) | DiCaprio, Penn, del Toro | Frontrunner |
| Sinners | 3 (Screenplay, Score) | Mosaku vampire healer | Rising |
| Hamnet | 2 (British Film, Actress) | Buckley Irish first | Contender |
| I Swear | 2 (Actor, Casting) | Aramayo tears | Surprise |
| Zootopia 2 | Animated | Bush differences theme | Family hit |
BAFTA 2026 All Winners – Complete List
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Best Film
Winner: “One Battle After Another”
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Outstanding British Film
Winner: “Hamnet”
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Best Director
Winner: Paul Thomas Anderson – “One Battle After Another”
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Best Leading Actor
Winner: Robert Aramayo – “I Swear”
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Best Leading Actress
Winner: Jessie Buckley – “Hamnet”
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Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Sean Penn – “One Battle After Another”
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Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Wunmi Mosaku – “Sinners”
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Best Original Screenplay
Winner: Ryan Coogler – “Sinners”
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Best Adapted Screenplay
Winner: Paul Thomas Anderson – “One Battle After Another”
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Best Film Not in the English Language
Winner: “Sentimental Value” (Norway)
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Best Documentary
Winner: “Mr. Nobody Against Putin”
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Best Animated Film
Winner: “Zootropolis 2
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Best Original Score
Winner: Ludwig Göransson – “Sinners”
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Best Cinematography
Winner: Michael Bauman – “One Battle After Another”
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Best Editing
Winner: “One Battle After Another”
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Best Production Design
Winner: “Frankenstein”
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Best Costume Design
Winner: “Frankenstein”
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Best Makeup and Hair
Winner: “Frankenstein”
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Best Sound
Winner: “F1”
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Best Special Visual Effects
Winner: “Avatar: Fire and Ash”
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Best Casting
Winner: “I Swear”
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Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer
Winner: Akinola Davies Jr – “My Father’s Shadow”
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EE BAFTA Rising Star Award
Winner: Robert Aramayo
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Outstanding Contribution to Cinema
Winner: Clare Binns
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BAFTA Fellowship
Winner: Donna Langley
FAQs
Q: Who beat DiCaprio at BAFTAs 2026?
A: Robert Aramayo in I Swear for Leading Actor.
Q: How many BAFTAs did One Battle After Another win?
A: Six, including Best Film and Director.
Q: First Irish woman Leading Actress winner?
A: Jessie Buckley for Hamnet.
Q: What did Paul Thomas Anderson say?
A: “Movies aren’t good anymore can piss right off.”
Q: Host’s Zootopia 2 jab?
A: “Lies, corrupt leaders… Too soon, Disney.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on official BAFTA announcements and reporting from the news agency reports, ceremony at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
