This image provided by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Leonardo DiCaprio in a scene from “Battle After Battle.” | Photo credit: AP
The politically charged action thriller “One Battle After Another” has won six awards, including best film at the BAFTA British Film Awards.
The vampire saga “Sinners” and the gothic horror story “Frankenstein” won three awards each.
Paul Thomas Anderson was named best director for “One Battle After Another.” Jessie Buckley won best actress for “Hamnet,” while Robert Aaramayo took best actor for the British independent film “I Swear,” beating stars including Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet.
The British awards offer clues about who could win next month’s Hollywood Academy Awards.
Hollywood stars and British celebrities, from Paddington Bear to the Princess of Wales, gathered Sunday for the British Academy Film Awards, where the politically charged thriller “One Battle After Another” and the blues-laden epic “Sinners” battled it out for the top prizes.
Both films are nominated for best picture and took home top prizes: Wunmi Mosaku took the supporting actress award for “Sinners” and Sean Penn won the supporting actor trophy for “One Battle After Another.” “Sinners” writer-director Ryan Coogler also won best original screenplay, while “One Battle” filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson took home the trophy for best adapted screenplay.
The best picture nominees are “One Battle After Another,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” “Sinners” and “Sentimental Value.” Shakespeare’s family tragedy “Hamnet” was named best British film – a separate category – and punters suggested it could beat best picture favorites if voters in the British film industry respond to the emotionally rich story, earthy English-language atmosphere and intense performances of Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s historical novel.
Stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone, Cillian Murphy, Glenn Close and Ethan Hawke were among those who walked the red carpet outside London’s Royal Festival Hall ahead of a gala ceremony hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming.
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, also attended, three days after William’s uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested by police and held for 11 hours over allegations he sent sensitive government information to the late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The scandal has rocked the royal family, led by King Charles III, although William and Catherine remain popular standard-bearers for the monarchy. William is due to present an award in his role as president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Published – February 23, 2026 02:20 am IST