Edward Berger posing with outstanding british film award for ‘ Conclave’ at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. AP Photo
The 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA 2025) wrapped up with Conclave taking home four major awards, including Best Picture. The thriller, featuring Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal navigating political scheming within the Vatican, also won Outstanding British Film, Editing, and Adapted Screenplay.
No Clear Dominance at the BAFTA 2025
Unlike previous years, no single film swept the awards. The Brutalist matched Conclave with four wins, securing Best Director for Brady Corbet and Best Actor for Adrien Brody. Meanwhile, Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her role in Anora, a tragicomedy set in Brooklyn.
Kieran Culkin took home the Best Supporting Actor award for A Real Pain, while Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, which also claimed Best Film Not in the English Language.
Zoe Saldana, winner of the supporting actress award for ‘Emilia Perez’, poses at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. AP Photo
Controversy Shadows ‘Emilia Pérez’
Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, remains an Oscar frontrunner despite facing controversy. The film’s lead, Karla Sofía Gascón, a transgender actress playing an ex-cartel boss, skipped the ceremony. Gascón has distanced herself from promotions following backlash over her social media posts criticizing diversity at the Oscars, George Floyd, and Islam.
Audiard condemned the remarks but expressed gratitude to Gascón and co-stars Saldaña and Selena Gomez. "I am deeply proud of what we have all achieved together," he stated.
Star-Studded Red Carpet & British Charm
London’s Royal Festival Hall welcomed Hollywood and British stars, including Timothée Chalamet, Lupita Nyong’o, Hugh Grant, and Saoirse Ronan. The BAFTAs often hint at Oscar winners, making them a crucial event in the awards season.
The night kicked off with host David Tennant leading the audience in a singalong of I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers.
Acting Wins & Powerful Speeches
Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her role as an exotic dancer entangled with a Russian oligarch’s son in Anora. In her speech, she advocated for sex workers, stating, "You deserve respect and human decency. I will always be a friend and an ally."
Adrien Brody triumphed in the Best Actor category for playing a Hungarian-Jewish architect in postwar America in The Brutalist. He used his speech to address discrimination, saying, "There’s no place anymore for antisemitism. There’s no place for racism."
Publicist Abbie Gainher placing placards with images of celebs on seats ahead of the British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Feb. 12, 2025. AP Photo
Other Notable Wins at BAFTA 2025
- A Real Pain won Best Original Screenplay. Writer-director Jesse Eisenberg humorously shared, "I’d like to share this with my wife, who didn’t come because she didn’t think I’d win."
- Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl won Best Animated Feature and Best Family & Children’s Film.
- Dune: Part Two took home awards for Sound and Visual Effects.
- Wicked won Best Costume Design and Production Design.
Rising Stars & Lifetime Achievements
David Jonsson, known for Industry and Rye Lane, won the Rising Star Award, chosen by public vote. “Star, I don’t know,” he said. “But rising, I guess.”
Rich Peppiatt received the Best British Debut award for Kneecap, an Irish-language hip-hop drama.
Actor Warwick Davis was honored with the BAFTA Fellowship for his contribution to film and advocacy for short actors. Reflecting on his career, Davis said, “This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me—and I’ve been in Star Wars.”
A Night Without Royal Presence
This year’s BAFTAs missed their usual royal glamour. Prince William, the honorary president of BAFTA, did not attend as the event coincided with school holidays for his children. Instead, he sent a video message, revealing that he recently watched Darkest Hour but found The Last of Us "quite full on" and didn’t finish it.
With the Oscars around the corner, the BAFTAs have set the stage for what could be an unpredictable race to the Academy Awards on March 2.
