2025 BAFTA Film Awards

LIFESTYLE-- The 2025 BAFTA Film Awards delivered a night of surprises, historic wins, and intense competition, with Conclave and The Brutalist emerging as the biggest winners. The ceremony, hosted by actor David Tennant at London’s Royal Festival Hall, saw both films take home four awards each, setting the stage for an unpredictable Oscars race next month.

• 1. Mikey Madison's Speech Mishap

Mikey Madison, who won the Best Actress award for her performance in Anora, humorously admitted backstage that she hadn't prepared a speech. She jokingly blamed her lack of preparation on Robert De Niro's advice during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, where he suggested not writing a speech. Though she was overwhelmed with joy, Madison revealed that she had forgotten to thank several important people in her life. Despite the misstep, she expressed her gratitude and excitement for the recognition.

• 2. Wallace and Gromit Directors Reflect on 'Anton Deck' Joke

The directors of Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, shared their pride in their British creation being well-received in the U.S. They discussed a particularly British joke involving TV presenters "Anton Deck" (a reference to British duo Ant & Dec) which went unnoticed in American screenings, with only one Brit laughing. Despite this, they stood by their British humor, finding joy in the fact that audiences were still engaged, even if the joke flew over their heads.

• 3. Jesse Eisenberg's Love for the UK

jesse Eisenberg, who won Best Original Screenplay for A Real Pain, walked into the winner's room joking about the weight of the Bafta trophy. Reflecting on his recent success in the UK, he humorously noted that his awards, including the London Film Critics prize, seemed to suggest that he was more appreciated in the UK than in his home country. Eisenberg also joked about his less-than-close relationship with co-star Kieran Culkin, saying that while they aren't particularly close, they still send congratulatory messages after wins.

• 4. Zoe Saldaña's Reflection on Spanish-Language Musical

Zoe Saldaña, who won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, shared her experience of performing in a Spanish-language musical. She revealed how important it was for her to reconnect with her cultural roots while performing in her first language, Spanish. Saldaña talked about how the challenging process of rehearsing and performing the dance in El Mal helped her rediscover a part of herself that she had set aside for over 20 years, emphasizing the joy of jumping into the unknown and embracing her heritage.

• 5. Warwick Davis Receives Fellowship

Warwick Davis, the recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship, was overwhelmed by the recognition. Davis revealed that when he first received the notification of his award, he was on the toilet, which led to his initial skepticism about whether the email was a scam. He humorously recalled checking the email's authenticity and then celebrating the news with his children. His laid-back, humorous reflection on the whole process added charm to the special moment.

• 6. Adrien Brody's Career Surge

Adrien Brody, who won Best Actor for The Brutalist, reflected on his career resurgence after more than two decades since his last awards recognition for The Pianist. Despite feeling slightly hungry and overwhelmed by the moment, Brody expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging that his experiences over the years had helped him bring a deeper, more authentic portrayal to his work. He emphasized the importance of hard work and how the "magical things" falling into place for The Brutalist made this achievement even more meaningful.

• 7. Edward Berger's 'Conclave' Ensemble

Edward Berger, director of Conclave, which won both Best Film and Best British Film, shared his thoughts on working with an ensemble cast that included Stanley Tucci, Ralph Fiennes, and Isabella Rossellini. He compared the cast to an orchestra, where each actor brought a unique strength to their role, much like instruments in a musical composition. Berger credited the harmonious collaboration as key to the film's success and explained that it was difficult to pinpoint why a cast works so well, but that a special chemistry was undoubtedly present.

• 8. Brady Corbet's Optimism for the Film Industry

Brady Corbet, who won Best Director for The Brutalist, shared his excitement for the film's success, which had grossed $30 million globally despite its 3.5-hour runtime. He noted how his uncompromising vision for the film had led to its commercial viability, expressing optimism for the future of bold, original cinema. Corbet also spoke about his exhaustion from the awards campaign but looked forward to returning to work after the Oscars. He saw the success of The Brutalist as a sign that audiences still craved daring and original films.

A Night to Remember

David Tennant, the charismatic host, kicked off the night in a kilt, leading a surprise performance of I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) with stars like James McAvoy and Colman Domingo.

The ceremony also honored veteran actor Warwick Davis with the BAFTA Fellowship, the Academy’s highest honor. Davis, visibly emotional, dedicated the award to his late wife, Sammy.

The In Memoriam segment paid tribute to legends lost in the past year, including Dame Maggie Smith, James Earl Jones, David Lynch, Dame Joan Plowright, and Donald Sutherland.

What’s Next? The Road to the Oscars

With no single film sweeping the BAFTAs, the Oscars race remains unpredictable. Conclave and The Brutalist strengthened their positions, while Madison’s win for Anora shakes up the Best Actress category.

Will these results repeat at the Academy Awards? Or will Hollywood deliver more surprises? The countdown to the Oscars begins.