Conclave and The Brutalist Dominate BAFTAs as London Celebrates Film’s Biggest Night
The 2025 BAFTA Film Awards brought drama, surprises, and a touch of kilted flair as stars gathered at London’s Royal Festival Hall to celebrate the best in cinema. Whilst Conclave and The Brutalist were the main winners, no single film swept the board, it was a night where talent across various genres and styles was recognised.
The biggest winner of the night was Conclave, a gripping drama about the scheming politics behind a papal election. The film, which had led the nominations with 12 nods, made history by winning both Best Film and Outstanding British Film—something that hasn’t happened since 1917 in 2019. Director Edward Berger also took home awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing. Upon accepting the award, he remarked how he felt “deeply moved” and honoured to be recognised for a British film despite not being from the UK.
Matching Conclave in wins was The Brutalist, a haunting immigration epic that explores the life of Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor, László Tóth. Directed by Brady Corbet, the film earned four awards, including Best Director, Best Actor for Adrien Brody, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. Brody, in an emotional speech, reflected on the film’s deeper themes, calling it “a pursuit of leaving something meaningful.”
There were also wins for Anora, a darkly comic drama about a New York stripper entangled in a high-society romance. Despite high expectations for a Best Film win, Anora took home Best Actress for Mikey Madison and Best Casting. Madison, in a moment of disbelief, joked on stage that she “probably should have listened to [her] publicist and written a speech.” She also took time to acknowledge and stand in solidarity with the sex worker community.
Kieran Culkin and Zoe Saldaña secured wins for Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. Culkin was recognised for A Real Pain, a poignant comedy-drama about two cousins revisiting their Jewish roots, while Saldaña was awarded for her role in Emilia Pérez, a musical crime drama about a drug lord seeking redemption through a new life.
This year’s BAFTAs also had its fair share of upsets. Many had anticipated Demi Moore to continue her award-season dominance for The Substance, but the Best Actress win went to Madison instead. Meanwhile, The Substance walked away with just one win for Makeup and Hair, despite being heavily tipped for success in multiple categories.
A highlight of the evening was the BAFTA Fellowship presentation to actor Warwick Davis, recognising his contributions to British cinema. The crowd gave him a standing ovation as he dedicated the honour to his late wife, calling her his “greatest supporter.”
| Film Title | Awards Won |
|---|---|
| Conclave | Best Film, Best British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing |
| The Brutalist | Best Director, Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Best Original Score, Best Cinematography |
| Anora | Best Actress (Mikey Madison), Best Casting |
| Emilia Pérez | Best Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldaña), Best International Film |
| A Real Pain | Best Supporting Actor (Kieran Culkin), Best Original Screenplay |
| Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl | Best Animation, Best Children’s & Family Film |
| Dune: Part Two | Best Special Effects, Best Sound |
| Wicked | Best Production Design, Best Costume Design |
Elsewhere, Dune: Part Two picked up Best Special Effects and Best Sound, while Wicked won Best Production Design and Best Costume Design. Aardman Studios also had a triumphant night as Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl won both Best Animation and the inaugural award for Best Children’s & Family Film.
David Tennant, serving as host, added a dose of light-hearted energy to the evening, opening the show with a lively rendition of I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles). The Scottish actor’s kilted performance, joined by surprise guests, set the tone for a night of celebration.
As the BAFTA winners set their sights on the Oscars, the awards season remains unpredictable. Some clear frontrunners emerged, but with surprises still in store, all eyes are now on Hollywood’s biggest night.
| Film Title | Notable Nominations | Key Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| A Complete Unknown | Best Actor, Best Film | Timothée Chalamet |
| Nosferatu | Best Cinematography, Best Production Design | Willem Dafoe |
| Blitz | Best Film, Best Supporting Actress | Saoirse Ronan |
| Gladiator II | Best Film, Best Special Effects | Paul Mescal |
| The Apprentice | Best Director, Best Actor | Sebastian Stan |
| Hard Truths | Best Actress, Best Screenplay | Marianne Jean-Baptiste |
| The Room Next Door | Best Director, Best Screenplay | Tilda Swinton |
| Queer | Best Actor, Best Screenplay | Daniel Craig |
| Lee | Best Actress, Best Costume Design | Kate Winslet |
| Maria | Best Actress, Best Cinematography | Angelina Jolie |
| Nickel Boys | Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director | Barry Jenkins |
| Nightbitch | Best Actress, Best Visual Effects | Amy Adams |
| Sing Sing | Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor | Colman Domingo |
| I’m Still Here | Best International Film, Best Documentary | Brazilian Filmmakers |
| Bird | Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay | Barry Keoghan |
| Wicked | Best Film, Best Director | Ariana Grande |
| The Piano Lesson | Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography | Denzel Washington’s Children |
| The Substance | Best Actress, Best Makeup & Hair (won one) | Demi Moore |
For a full list of winners and nominees, visit the official BAFTA website at www.bafta.org.
For more in-depth coverage of the latest in UK cinema, visit EyeOnLondon. What do you think of this year’s winners? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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