One Battle After Another triumphs at UK’s BAFTA film awards
Al Jazeera
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The UK’s BAFTA Film Awards saw an historic victory for *One Battle After Another*, a gripping thriller that claimed six awards, including Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson. This victory was particularly notable as it overshadowed other strong contenders like the Shakespearean drama *Hamnet* and the vampire film *Sinners*. Anderson reflected on the film’s success, quoting Nina Simone’s words about freedom being without fear, a sentiment that resonated throughout the ceremony.
Among the highlights, *Sinners* secured Best Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler and Wunmi Mosaku’s performance as Best Supporting Actress. Frankenstein and Hamnet also made significant strides, with Frankenstein earning three awards each. Jessie Buckley claimed Best Actress for her role in *Hamnet*, while the documentary *Mr Nobody Against Putin* won for its exploration of propaganda in Russia post-Ukraine invasion.
The ceremony was marked by unexpected triumphs, such as Robert Aramayo’s win for Best Actor in *I Swear*, a film about a campaigner for people with Tourette syndrome. This victory came against stiff competition from A-listers like Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio. The event also saw Prince William and Princess Kate attending together for the first time since William’s uncle was arrested, adding a layer of royal intrigue.
The BAFTAs not only celebrated cinematic excellence but also highlighted pressing global issues through documentaries like *Mr Nobody Against Putin* and *The Voice of Hind Rajab*, which explored themes of censorship and conflict. These
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/23/2026