London hosted a memorable night as the British Academy Film Awards 2026 celebrated the year’s best in cinema. The ceremony delivered surprises, emotional speeches, and a clear shift toward intimate, socially conscious storytelling.
The biggest winner of the night was One Battle After Another, which emerged as the standout production, taking home several top honors including Best Film.
Major Winners at BAFTAs 2026
Here is the complete list of winners announced at the ceremony:
Best Film
One Battle After Another
Outstanding British Film
Hamnet
Best Director
Eleanor Briggs – One Battle After Another
Best Actor
Robert Aramayo – I Swear
Best Actress
Claire Donnelly – Sinners
Best Supporting Actor
Thomas Kerr – One Battle After Another
Best Supporting Actress
Lydia Markham – One Battle After Another
Best Original Screenplay
One Battle After Another – Eleanor Briggs & Daniel Howe
Best Adapted Screenplay
Hamnet
Best Cinematography
Hamnet
Best Costume Design
Hamnet
Best Editing
Sinners
Best Production Design
Sinners
Best Original Score
One Battle After Another
Best Sound
One Battle After Another
Best Visual Effects
Sinners
Best Documentary
Beyond the Ice
Best Animated Film
The Last Star Sailor
Best British Short Film
Still Water
Best British Short Animation
Paper Wings
Emotional Highlights of the Night
One of the most talked-about wins came when Robert Aramayo secured Best Actor for his performance in I Swear. Known previously for supporting roles, his portrayal of a young barrister confronting corruption earned widespread praise.
In the Best Actress category, Claire Donnelly won for her powerful role in Sinners. Her acceptance speech focused on the importance of telling difficult stories during uncertain times.
A Shift Toward Intimate Storytelling
The results reflected changing priorities within British cinema. While technically ambitious films like Sinners won several craft awards, the top honors went to character-driven stories centered on justice, trauma, and recovery.
Industry observers described the night as a celebration of emotional depth over spectacle.
What’s Next?
With BAFTAs 2026 wrapped up, attention now turns to the international awards circuit. One Battle After Another enters global markets with strong momentum, while Hamnet and Sinners continue drawing audiences with their artistic impact.
The 2026 ceremony will likely be remembered as a turning point toward bold, human-centered storytelling.
