The BAFTA 2025 Awards ceremony was a night to remember, filled with emotional speeches, surprising victories, and unforgettable moments. Hosted by the charismatic David Tennant, the event celebrated the best in film, with Vatican drama Conclave and The Brutalist leading the pack. But who took home the coveted awards, and what were the highlights of the evening? Let's dive into the details.
The BAFTA 2025 Awards, held at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in London, was a glittering affair that honored the best in cinema. The evening was hosted by the ever-charming David Tennant, who brought his signature wit and humor to the stage. The big winners of the night were Conclave and The Brutalist, each taking home four awards.
Conclave, a gripping Vatican drama directed by Edward Berger, won Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing. The film, starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, has been a critical darling since its release, and its BAFTA success cements its place in cinematic history.
On the other hand, The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, also made waves by winning Best Director for Corbet and Best Actor for Adrien Brody. The film, which explores the life of a modernist architect, also took home awards for Best Cinematography and Best Score. In his acceptance speech, Corbet humorously questioned the concept of a “best director,” tipping his hat to his fellow nominees.
Mikey Madison's win for Best Leading Actress in Anora was another highlight of the evening. The film, directed by Sean Baker, also won the Casting award, recognizing the exceptional ensemble performance. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldaña's Best Supporting Actress win for Emilia Pérez added to the film's accolades, which also included Best Film Not in the English Language.
The ceremony was not without its emotional moments. Warwick Davis received the BAFTA Fellowship, the highest honor bestowed by the academy, and delivered a heartfelt speech that brought the audience to tears. Davis, known for his roles in Star Wars and Harry Potter, reflected on his career and the recent loss of his wife, Samantha.
The night also celebrated the best in animation, with Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl winning both Best Animated Film and the inaugural Children's and Family Award. Nick Park and his team at Aardman Animation continue to push the boundaries of stop-motion animation, delighting audiences of all ages.
Here is the full list of BAFTA 2025 winners:
Best Film
CONCLAVE
Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Michael A. Jackman
Outstanding British Film
CONCLAVE
Edward Berger, Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Michael A. Jackman, Peter Straughan
Leading Actress
MIKEY MADISON
Anora
Leading Actor
ADRIEN BRODY
The Brutalist
Director
BRADY CORBET
The Brutalist
Supporting Actress
ZOE SALDAÑA
Emilia Pérez
Supporting Actor
KIERAN CULKIN
A Real Pain
Rising Star Award
DAVID JONSSON
Original Screenplay
A REAL PAIN
Written by Jesse Eisenberg
Adapted Screenplay
CONCLAVE
Screenplay by Peter Straughan
Film Not in the English Language
EMILIA PÉREZ
Jacques Audiard, Pascal Caucheteux
Documentary
SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY
Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui, Lizzie Gilliett, Robert Ford
Animated Film
WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL
Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham, Richard Beek
Children's and Family Film
WALLACE & GROMIT: VENGEANCE MOST FOWL
Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham, Richard Beek
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer
KNEECAP
Rich Peppiatt (Director, Writer)
Cinematography
THE BRUTALIST
Lol Crawley
Editing
CONCLAVE
Nick Emerson
Production Design
WICKED
Nathan Crowley, Lee Sandales
Costume Design
WICKED
Paul Tazewell
Make up & Hair
THE SUBSTANCE
Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon, Frédérique Arguello, Marilyne Scarselli
Sound
DUNE: PART TWO
Ron Bartlett, Doug Hemphill, Gareth John, Richard King
Special Visual Effects
DUNE: PART TWO
Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Gerd Nefzer, Rhys Salcombe
Original Score
THE BRUTALIST
Daniel Blumberg
Casting
ANORA
Sean Baker, Samantha Quan
British Short Animation
ADIÓS
José Prats, Natalia Kyriacou, Bernardo Angeletti
British Short Film
ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS
Franz Böhm, Ivan, Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer
BAFTA Fellowship
WARWICK DAVIS
Conclusion:
The BAFTA 2025 Awards was a celebration of cinematic excellence, showcasing the best films and performances of the year. From the emotional speeches to the surprising wins, the evening was a testament to the power of storytelling and the magic of cinema. As we look forward to the next awards season, one can't help but wonder: which films will capture our hearts and minds next year?
Personal Impressions:
The BAFTA 2025 Awards was a night of highs and lows, with emotional speeches and surprising wins. Warwick Davis's heartfelt acceptance speech was a standout moment, reminding us of the human stories behind the glitz and glamour. However, the absence of Karla Sofía Gascón, who was embroiled in controversy, was a stark reminder of the challenges faced by artists in the public eye. Overall, the ceremony was a fitting tribute to the best in film, celebrating the art of storytelling and the talent that brings these stories to life.
“What do you think about the winners of the BAFTA 2025 Awards? Were there any surprises or snubs that stood out to you?”
