One Battle After Another Wins Big At Bafta Film Awards

At the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, Paul Thomas Anderson's film "One Battle After Another" emerged as the standout winner, securing six awards including Best Film and Best Director. The ceremony, held on February 22, 2026, at London's Southbank Centre, saw Anderson express his gratitude by quoting Nina Simone: "I know what freedom is, it’s no fear," emphasizing the film's political undertones in a polarized America. The film's success was underscored by its total of 14 nominations, making it a strong contender for the upcoming Oscars. In a surprising twist, Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for his role in "I Swear," beating out heavyweights like Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio. Aramayo, visibly emotional, stated, "I absolutely can’t believe it, I can’t believe that I’m looking at people like you, in the same category as you," reflecting the underdog narrative of his win. Jessie Buckley also made history as the first Irish actress to win Best Actress for her role in "Hamnet," which also won Outstanding British Film, despite losing to "One Battle" in the major categories.