Study OAS ·
79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA 2026)
What’s the News?
- The 79th BAFTA Film Awards were held on February 22, 2026, at the Royal Festival Hall in London, hosted by Alan Cumming.
- The ceremony saw a mix of historic milestones for Indian cinema and dominant sweeps by major Hollywood productions.
- One Battle After Another, a politically charged thriller directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, emerged as the night's biggest winner, securing six awards including Best Film.
Historic Moment for India
- Boong Wins Big: The Manipuri-language film Boong, backed by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment and directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, made history by winning Best Children’s and Family Film. It notably beat global giants like Disney’s Zootopia 2.
Major Winners and Highlights
| Category | Winner | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Best Film | Paul Thomas Anderson (Dir.) | One Battle After Another |
| Outstanding British Film | Chloé Zhao (Dir.) | Hamnet |
| Leading Actor | Robert Aramayo | I Swear |
| Leading Actress | Jessie Buckley | Hamnet |
| Best Director | Paul Thomas Anderson | One Battle After Another |
| Best Supporting Actor | Sean Penn | One Battle After Another |
| Best Supporting Actress | Wunmi Mosaku | Sinners |
| EE Rising Star Award | Robert Aramayo | (Public Vote) |
Additional Information
- BAFTA Overview:
- Full Form: British Academy of Film and Television Arts
- Established: 1947 as independent arts charity.
- Annual Ceremony: Held every year in London, United Kingdom
- Prestige: Considered second most prestigious film awards after Oscars.
- Indian Cinema at International Awards:
- RRR (2023): Won Oscar for Best Original Song ('Naatu Naatu')
- Gandhi (1982): Won 8 Oscars including Best Picture
- Salaam Bombay (1988): Won Cannes Camera d'Or
- Lagaan (2001): Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film