The 2026 Bafta Film Awards delivered a night of surprises and triumphs, with Hull-born actor Robert Aramayo emerging as the unexpected star. In a shocking upset, Aramayo clinched the coveted Best Actor award, triumphing over esteemed nominees Timothée Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, Michael B Jordan, Jesse Plemons, and Leonardo DiCaprio for his powerful performance in “I Swear.” The announcement left Aramayo momentarily stunned, visibly emotional as he broke into tears before making his way to the stage. He described the win as “absolute madness,” expressing his disbelief at being recognised alongside such accomplished actors.
This momentous win followed an already extraordinary evening for Aramayo, who had earlier in the ceremony secured the EE Rising Star Award. This public-voted accolade has historically been a launchpad for future A-list talent, with past recipients including James McAvoy, Kristen Stewart, Tom Hardy, and Daniel Kaluuya. By the close of the night, Aramayo had transitioned from a rising talent to a prominent figure at the prestigious awards ceremony.
“I Swear” chronicles the inspiring true story of John Davidson, a campaigner for Tourette’s syndrome awareness, detailing his experiences growing up with severe Tourette’s in the 1980s. Davidson was present at the ceremony, visibly elated and seen punching the air as Aramayo’s name was called. Throughout the event, his enthusiastic cheers from the audience added a unique and heartfelt dimension to the proceedings. Host Alan Cumming adeptly navigated any potential disruptions, transforming them into poignant reminders of the film’s impactful subject matter.
The 2026 Bafta Film Awards unfolded amidst one of the most fiercely contested award seasons in recent memory.
A Night of Dominance and Debut Wins
Despite the strong competition, “One Battle After Another” entered the night with a commanding 14 nominations and ultimately proved to be the biggest winner, securing the prestigious Best Film award and accumulating a total of six accolades. Director Paul Thomas Anderson was recognised as Best Director, marking his second Bafta win, and also took home the award for Adapted Screenplay.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s Vision and Tributes
Accepting the top honour, Anderson used his platform to defend the enduring relevance of cinema, playfully inviting the audience to join him “at the bar.” Earlier in the evening, in a more poignant moment, he paid a heartfelt tribute to his late collaborator Adam Somner, a British assistant director who worked on the film while battling cancer and sadly passed away in 2024 at the age of 57.
While “One Battle After Another” dominated in terms of sheer number of awards, Ryan Coogler’s ambitious vampire epic “Sinners” also made a significant impact, clinching three awards. These included Best Supporting Actress for Wunmi Mosaku and Best Original Screenplay. In his acceptance speech, Coogler offered words of encouragement to aspiring writers, advising them to draw inspiration from their loved ones when facing a blank page.
A Comprehensive List of 2026 Bafta Winners
Here is a full rundown of the winners at the 2026 Bafta Film Awards:
- Best Film:
- One Battle After Another
- Leading Actor:
- Robert Aramayo – I Swear
- Leading Actress:
- Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
- Outstanding British Film:
- Hamnet
- Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer:
- My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr (director), Wale Davies (writer)
- Adapted Screenplay:
- One Battle After Another – Paul Thomas Anderson
- Original Screenplay:
- Sinners – Ryan Coogler
- Film Not in the English Language:
- Sentimental Value
- Director:
- One Battle After Another – Paul Thomas Anderson
- Supporting Actress:
- Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
- Supporting Actor:
- Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
- Children’s and Family Film:
- Boong
- Costume Design:
- Frankenstein
- Special Visual Effects:
- Avatar: Fire And Ash
- Production Design:
- Frankenstein
- Sound:
- F1
- Makeup and Hair:
- Frankenstein
- Original Score:
- Sinners
- Animated Film:
- Zootropolis 2
- British Short Animation:
- Two Black Boys In Paradise
- Best British Short Film:
- This Is Endometriosis
- Casting:
- I Swear
- Cinematography:
- One Battle After Another
- Editing:
- One Battle After Another
- Documentary:
- Mr Nobody Against Putin
- Rising Star (voted by the public):
- Robert Aramayo – I Swear
- Fellowship:
- Dame Donna Langley
- Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema:
- Clare Binns
Homegrown Talent Shines and Historic Wins
“Hamnet” was recognised as Outstanding British Film, a testament to the strength of British storytelling. Jessie Buckley secured the Leading Actress award for her portrayal of Shakespeare’s wife, dedicating her win to “the women past, present and future that have taught me… how to do it differently.” She graciously acknowledged fellow female actors in the room, ensuring their contributions were also celebrated.
“Frankenstein” proved to be a formidable force in the craft categories, winning awards for Costume Design, Makeup and Hair, and Production Design. In a historic moment, “Sentimental Value” became the first Norwegian film to win a Bafta, taking home the award for Best Film Not in the English Language. Director Joachim Trier accepted the honour with characteristic humour, quipping that Norwegians are “usually better at skiing.”
The ceremony also featured lighter moments, including Paddington Bear’s charming presentation of the Children’s and Family Film award to “Boong,” with the beloved bear comically struggling to open the envelope with his paws. In stark contrast, Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme” endured a challenging night, failing to convert any of its 11 nominations and equalling the record for the most losses at a single ceremony.
Despite the notable wins and losses, the undeniable highlight of the 2026 Bafta Film Awards was Robert Aramayo’s unexpected and profoundly moving triumph.
