The stars aligned at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday night, where David Tennant hosted a spectacular celebration of cinema at the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards. In a ceremony marked by emotional first-time wins and musical performances, British film “Conclave” emerged as the night’s big winner alongside the visually striking “The Brutalist.”

‘Conclave’ Leads the Pack

“Conclave” dominated the evening with four wins, including the coveted Best Film and Outstanding British Film awards, proving once again that British cinema continues to captivate audiences and critics alike. The film’s additional victories in Adapted Screenplay and Editing categories cement its place as a technical and narrative masterpiece.

Brady Corbet’s ‘The Brutalist’ Makes History

Matching “Conclave’s” four-award triumph, “The Brutalist” brought first-time BAFTA glory to both its director Brady Corbet and leading man Adrien Brody. The film’s breathtaking cinematography and original score wins suggest an audacious artistic vision that pushed creative boundaries.

Breakthrough Performances Steal the Show

In one of the night’s most exciting developments, Mikey Madison clinched the Leading Actress award for “Anora,” while “Succession” star Kieran Culkin continued his awards season momentum with a Supporting Actor win for “A Real Pain.” The latter film also earned Jesse Eisenberg his first BAFTA for Original Screenplay.

Zoe Saldaña’s transition from sci-fi queen to BAFTA winner proved successful with her Supporting Actress victory for the Spanish-language film “Emilia Pérez,” which also won Film Not in the English Language.

Musical Moments and Emotional Tributes

The ceremony wasn’t just about the awards. Take That brought the house down with their performance of “Greatest Day” from “Anora,” while Jeff Goldblum provided one of the evening’s most poignant moments, performing “As Time Goes By” during the In Memoriam segment.

Animation and Technical Excellence

Beloved British institution Wallace & Gromit returned triumphantly with “Vengeance Most Fowl,” winning both Animated Film and the inaugural Children’s & Family Film award. Meanwhile, “Dune: Part Two” maintained the franchise’s technical prowess with wins in Visual Effects and Sound.

A Fellowship for a Champion

In what was perhaps the night’s most touching moment, Warwick Davis received the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship. The honor recognized not only his remarkable acting career but also his tireless advocacy for people with dwarfism, making him a true pioneer both on and off screen.

Rising Stars and Fresh Faces

David Jonsson took home the EE Rising Star Award, voted for by the public, marking him as British cinema’s next big thing. The industry also recognized new talent behind the camera, with “Kneecap” winning Outstanding Debut.

A Night to Remember

The 2025 BAFTAs will be remembered as a celebration of both established talent and exciting newcomers. From Adrien Brody’s first BAFTA win to the recognition of groundbreaking international cinema, the ceremony showcased the incredible diversity and creativity driving modern filmmaking.

The recognition of MediCinema with the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award rounded out a night that celebrated not just artistic achievement, but cinema’s power to change lives. As the curtain falls on another spectacular BAFTA ceremony, it’s clear that British cinema continues to thrive, pushing boundaries and setting new standards for excellence in filmmaking.