‘One Battle After Another’ Dominates BAFTA Film with 6 Awards/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Political thriller One Battle After Another captured six awards, including Best Picture, at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards. The film’s wins bolster its momentum ahead of the Academy Awards, where it faces strong competition from Sinners. Major acting prizes went to Jessie Buckley and Robert Aramayo in surprise and historic victories.
One Battle After Another BAFTA Wins Quick Looks
- Six BAFTA wins including Best Film
- Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
- Sean Penn wins Supporting Actor
- Jessie Buckley earns historic Best Actress award
- Robert Aramayo claims surprise Best Actor win
- “Sinners” and “Frankenstein” take three awards each
- “Hamnet” wins Best British Film
- BAFTAs seen as major Oscar bellwether
Deep Look: ‘One Battle After Another’ Dominates BAFTA Film with 6 Awards
The political thriller One Battle After Another emerged as the dominant force at the 2026 EE British Academy Film Awards, taking home six prestigious trophies including Best Film. The sweeping victory at Britain’s top movie honors significantly boosts the film’s standing ahead of next month’s Academy Awards in Hollywood.
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the explosive drama centers on a band of revolutionaries locked in escalating conflict with state forces. The film secured awards for Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, and Supporting Actor, in addition to the top prize for Best Film.
Accepting the directing honor, Anderson described the moment as “overwhelming and wonderful.” He paid tribute to his longtime assistant director Adam Somner, who passed away during production in late 2024. Quoting Nina Simone, Anderson emphasized the film’s message about fearlessness and creative freedom, underscoring the project’s political and emotional resonance.
Acting Honors Bring Surprises and Milestones
In one of the evening’s headline moments, Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway in Hamnet, a Shakespearean family tragedy exploring grief and loss. At 36, Buckley became the first Irish performer to claim the Best Actress prize at the BAFTAs. She dedicated the award to women who have inspired her artistry and shaped her perspective.
The Best Actor category delivered a major upset when Robert Aramayo triumphed for his role in the indie drama I Swear, a fact-based story about advocacy for people with Tourette syndrome. Aramayo’s win came over heavyweight nominees including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, and Michael B. Jordan. Visibly stunned, Aramayo called his victory “absolutely mad,” expressing disbelief at prevailing in such a competitive field.
Meanwhile, blues-infused vampire epic Sinners secured three awards, including Original Screenplay for director Ryan Coogler, Best Original Score, and Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku. Mosaku reflected emotionally on the personal and ancestral connections she found in her character.
Gothic Horror and International Cinema Recognized
Acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro saw his gothic reimagining of Frankenstein collect three awards, including Production Design, Costume Design, and Hair and Makeup. Transforming actor Jacob Elordi into the iconic creature required extensive daily preparation, highlighting the film’s ambitious visual craftsmanship.
Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value won Best Film Not in the English Language, reinforcing the BAFTAs’ growing recognition of global cinema.
Despite earning 11 nominations, ping-pong odyssey Marty Supreme left the ceremony empty-handed.
Royal Attendance and Red Carpet Glamour
The ceremony, hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming, took place at London’s Royal Festival Hall, drawing A-list stars and members of the British royal family.
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales attended the black-tie event, with William presenting an award in his capacity as president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Their appearance came amid ongoing controversy surrounding Prince Andrew, though the couple remains widely viewed as steady representatives of the monarchy under King Charles III.
Hollywood luminaries including Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Glenn Close, and others graced the red carpet, while beloved fictional character Paddington Bear delighted fans during promotional appearances tied to a stage adaptation.
Oscars Bellwether: What BAFTA Wins Mean
The BAFTAs frequently serve as a predictor of success at the Academy Awards. This year, Sinners leads Oscar nominations with 16, followed closely by One Battle After Another with 13.
With six BAFTA wins out of 14 nominations, One Battle After Another now enters the Oscars race with significant momentum. Industry observers note that key victories in directing, screenplay, and editing categories often signal strong Academy support.
Documentary Spotlight and Special Honors
The Best Documentary award went to Mr. Nobody Against Putin, directed by David Borenstein. The film chronicles a Russian teacher documenting state propaganda in schools following the invasion of Ukraine. Borenstein highlighted the universal moral choices individuals face under political pressure.
The documentary triumphed over notable competitors including “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” co-produced by The Associated Press and Frontline PBS.
In a career-defining moment, Donna Langley, chairwoman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, received the BAFTA Fellowship — the academy’s highest honor — recognizing her influential contributions to the global film industry.
A Year of Intense Storytelling
Host Alan Cumming noted that while the year’s films tackled heavy themes such as political violence, racism, and child loss, the ceremony itself blended reflection with celebration. Musical performances added levity, underscoring cinema’s enduring power to confront reality while providing escape.
As awards season accelerates toward Hollywood’s biggest night, the commanding performance of One Battle After Another at the BAFTAs positions it as a formidable contender in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Oscar races in years.
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