One Battle After Another Triumphs at Baftas with Six Major Awards
Paul Thomas Anderson's counterculture comedy One Battle After Another has emerged as the undisputed champion of the 2026 Bafta Awards, securing an impressive six trophies during Sunday's ceremony. The film, inspired by Thomas Pynchon's novel Vineland, claimed the prestigious awards for best film, best director, best cinematography, best editing, best supporting actor, and best adapted screenplay.
Anderson's Emotional Acceptance Speech
During his acceptance speech for best director, Anderson delivered a passionate defense of contemporary cinema while paying tribute to the film's late producer Adam Somner. "Anybody who says movies aren't good anymore can piss right off, because this is a great fucking year," declared Anderson to enthusiastic applause. He continued, "We have a line from Nina Simone we stole in our film. She says, 'I know what freedom is, it's no fear.' Let's keep making things without fear."
The director became emotional when remembering Somner, who passed away in 2024 after working through illness during production. "You may think your greatest export was Alfred Hitchcock or Charlie Chaplin, but to me it was Adam Somner," Anderson said, adding that working with someone facing serious illness "makes you pay attention and it reminds you of the privilege of this work we do."
Historic Wins and Major Upsets
In one of the evening's most significant milestones, Jessie Buckley became the first Irish performer to win a leading actress Bafta for her portrayal of Agnes Hathaway in Chloe Zhao's adaptation Hamnet. The film, based on Maggie O'Farrell's novel about William Shakespeare's family, also won outstanding British film.
"This is such an incredible honour," Buckley said, dedicating her award to her daughter. "I love what I do, I love cinema. I believe in storytelling to bring us together as a community, I believe in women's voices to tell us those stories."
The night's biggest upset came in the best actor category, where Robert Aramayo defeated heavy favorites including Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio for his performance in the British Tourette biopic I Swear. Through tears, a visibly shocked Aramayo said, "I absolutely can't believe it, I can't believe I'm in the same category as you never mind being stood here."
Other Notable Winners
Ryan Coogler's vampire thriller Sinners secured three awards, including best original screenplay, making Coogler the first Black winner in that category. "I didn't expect that," Coogler admitted, thanking his mentor Joachim Trier. "For all the writers staring at a blank page, think of who you love, think of someone you see in pain and help them feel better."
British-Nigerian actor Wunmi Mosaku won best supporting actress for her role in Sinners, saying her character helped her reconnect with her ancestral heritage. "I found a part of myself in Annie," Mosaku explained. "A part of my hopes, my ancestral power and connection, part of myself I thought I lost or tried to dim as an immigrant trying to fit in."
Sean Penn won best supporting actor for his chilling performance as Colonel Steven J Lockjaw in One Battle After Another, though he was not present to accept the award.
Documentary and International Recognition
The Bafta for best documentary went to Mr Nobody Against Putin, which chronicles a Russian teacher secretly documenting his school's transformation into a war recruitment center during the Ukraine invasion. Co-director David Borenstein paid tribute to his subject, saying, "Two years ago he was a schoolteacher, now he's a Bafta winner."
Joachim Trier's Norwegian drama Sentimental Value made history as the first Norwegian film to win a Bafta, taking home best film not in the English language. "It's the first time a Norwegian film wins a bafta. We're hugely better at skiing but here we are," Trier joked before praising this year's films for encouraging "empathy and curiosity."
Special Honors and Ceremony Highlights
Host Alan Cumming opened the ceremony with sharp commentary on contemporary cinema, noting that watching this year's films felt "like taking part in a collective nervous breakdown." He particularly critiqued Zootropolis 2, which later won best animated film, saying "Whatever happened to escapism?"
Clare Binns, creative director of Picturehouse Cinemas, received the award for outstanding contribution to cinema, while Donna Langley became the first Hollywood studio boss to receive the Bafta fellowship, presented by Prince William.
The ceremony demonstrated the continued vitality of international cinema, with diverse stories and performances receiving recognition across categories, setting the stage for the upcoming Oscars where several of these winners are expected to be strong contenders.
