David Tennant hosted the 2025 BAFTAs (Image: Getty)
The star-studded BAFTA Film Awards took place today (February 16). Doctor Who’s David Tennant hosted the ceremony, which was filled with hilarious jibes and emotional moments.
The awards began with the special visual effects category, bagged by Timothee Chalamet’s hit film Dune: Part Two, which also scooped up a second award for sound.
Conclave dominated the night, clinching the prestigious Best Film award, along with BAFTAs for adapted screenplay, outstanding British film and editing.
Mikey Madison of Anora was honoured with the BAFTA for Best Actress for her compelling portrayal of a sex worker who falls in love with a Russian oligarch, and the 25-year-old expressed gratitude towards her mother for driving her to “so many auditions” and acknowledged the sex worker community.
“You deserve respect and decency, and I… (urge) others to do the same,” she stated.
Read more: BAFTA stars shun red carpet after ‘awkward’ Emilia Perez tweet scandal
Adrian Brody took home a gong at the BAFTA Film Awards (Image: Getty)
Adrien Brody took home the Best Actor award for his role as a Hungarian-Jewish architect in The Brutalist. In his acceptance speech, he said: “I want to thank the Bafta and the voters, and I want to thank the British public for embracing me and my endeavours.
“For everyone who has rooted for me along the way, I am so thankful,” he added: “Thank you to my wonderful, beautiful girlfriend Georgina Chapman, if it wasn’t for my wonderful parents, and you, I wouldn’t be here.”
The Christmas favourite Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl won the BAFTAs for children’s and family film, and animated film, which Nick Park graciously received the award, expressing: “It’s such a wonderful privilege to be working at Aardman every day with such obscenely talented artists and craftspeople so passionate about creativity and we’re so lucky to have our fabulous cast.”
Brady Corbet of The Brutalist triumphed in the directing category at the BAFTAs, feeling “humbled, and incredibly grateful” for the honour among his peers. I’m very full, to my cast, crew, family thank you for dealing with me for the last seven years,” he gratefully acknowledged.
Rich Peppiatt clinched the accolade for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, and Producer for Kneecap, his critically lauded Irish-language biopic on the Northern Irish rap group.
Zoe Saldana won for her role in Emilia Perez (Image: Getty)
Upon receiving the award, Rich hailed the band as a “movement”, insisting: “Everyone should have their language respected, their culture respected.”
The production design award was snagged by the theatrical sensation Wicked, with Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales proudly accepting the prize.
Despite the recent backlash against star Karla Sofia Gascon over past offensive tweets, Emilia Perez secured the BAFTA for film not in the English language with her movie outshining competitors including I’m Still Here and previous winner Kneecap.
Acclaimed French director Jacques Audiard graciously accepted his award, expressing his gratitude towards “like to thank the wonderful talents”, singling out “dear Zoe (Saldana)” and Selena Gomez, before also warmly mentioning Karla Sofia Gascon as “dear”.
Zoe Saldana, who captivated audiences as Rita Mora Castro in the film, later clinched the BAFTA for supporting actress. She described the role as “a creative challenge of a lifetime”.
Her speech continued: “Films are supposed to change hearts and challenge minds and I hope Emilia Perez did something like this, because voices need to be heard, just not my English accent,” before dropping the F-bomb.
A Real Pain’s Jesse Eisenberg elicited laughter as he received the award for original screenplay, quipping that his wife had opted out of attending because she doubted his chances of victory.
The film The Brutalist scored a double triumph, snagging the awards for original score and cinematography.
Succession’s Kieran Culkin was honoured with the supporting acting BAFTA later in the evening for A Real Pain, although he was notably missing from the event. In his place, Director and co-star Jesse Eisenberg stepped up, sharing that Kieran’s commitment as a “he is devoted as a family (man), dad” kept him away.
The romantic comedy-drama Anora took home the accolade for best casting, with both Sean Baker and Samantha Quan there to receive it.
David Jonsson, known for his roles in Rye Lane and Alien: Romulus, humbly accepted the BAFTA Rising Star Award, admitting: “I’ve got to be honest, this isn’t why I do it? Do you know what I mean? I’m just an East London boy.”
He remarked: “I didn’t really see a space for me in this industry. But this award is about people and as long as we can keep telling stories about people I think there’s got to be a space for me.”
Here are the BAFTA Film Awards 2025 winners in their entirety:
Top honours went to Conclave for Best Film, while Adrien Brody garnered Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist. Mikey Madison was named Best Actress for her performance in Anora, and Brady Corbet clinched the Director category for The Brutalist.
Conclave was also celebrated as the Outstanding British film of the year. A breakout success was seen with Kneecap, winning Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer.
Foremost Film not in the English language was bestowed upon Emilia Perez, with Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl charming its way to victory in the Children’s and family film category.
A Real Pain nabbed the Original screenplay accolade, while Conclave triumphed once more with the Adapted screenplay award. Daniel Blumberg won hearts with the Original score for The Brutalist, and Wicked impressed with its Production design.
As for Sound, Dune: Part Two resounded with success, just as it did in the Special visual effects division. Dune: Part Two had audiences hearing a double celebration.
Another win for Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl came through in the Animated film category, alongside Kieran Culkin for Supporting actor in A Real Pain and Zoe Saldana for Supporting actress in Emilia Perez.
The film Anora cast a spell in the Casting bracket, Conclave sharpened its prowess with a win in Editing, and The Brutalist captured the awe in Cinematography.
The fascinating Documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story took flight, and the Short Film spot was snipped by ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’. ‘Wander to Wonder’ spirited away the prize for Short Animation.
For a transformational display in Make Up and Hair, The Substance made quite the impression. David Jonsson emerged as the EE Rising Star Award winner, crowning his ascent in film.
Lastly, Warwick Davis was honoured with the distinguished BAFTA Fellowship, cementing his legacy in cinematic history.
BAFTA Film Awards 2025 winners in full:
Best Film: Conclave
Best Actor: Adrien Brody – The Brutalist
Best Actress: Mikey Madison – Anora
Director: Brady Corbet – The Brutalist
Outstanding British film: Conclave
Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer: Kneecap
Film not in the English language: Emilia Pérez
Children’s and family film: Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Original screenplay: A Real Pain
Adapted screenplay: Conclave
Original score: The Brutalist – Daniel Blumberg
Production design: Wicked
Sound: Dune: Part Two
Special visual effects: Dune: Part Two
Animated film: Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Supporting actor: Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain
Supporting actress: Zoe Saldana – Emilia Perez
Casting: Anora
Editing: Conclave
Cinematography: The Brutalist
Documentary: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
Short Film: Rock, Paper, Scissors
