Hamnet Secures Major Victory at 2026 BAFTAs Amidst Star-Studded Ceremony
The 2026 British Academy Film Awards, held at The Royal Festival Hall on Sunday night, celebrated cinematic excellence with Hamnet emerging as a standout winner. Directed by Chloe Zhao and based on Maggie O'Farrell's novel, the film clinched the prestigious Outstanding British Film award, surpassing competitors like I Swear and The Ballad of Wallis Island. Despite this success, lead actor Paul Mescal missed out on the Supporting Actor honour, which went to Sean Penn for his role in One Battle After Another.
Emotional Moments and Surprise Wins
Child stars Jacobi Jupe and Olivia Lynes, both aged 12, shared a heartwarming hug on stage as they joined the cast to accept the award. Director Sam Mendes, presenting alongside rapper Stormzy, described the filmmaking process as 'just wonderful for everyone involved'. He acknowledged co-producer Steven Spielberg for his unwavering support from the project's inception.
In a highlight of the evening, Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her portrayal in Hamnet. In her acceptance speech, she expressed gratitude to her agent and fellow nominees, humorously recalling her early aspirations to emulate Judi Dench. Buckley emphasised the importance of female mentorship in her career, stating, 'This really does belong to the women who have taught me and continue to teach me how to do it differently.'
One Battle After Another Sweeps the Awards
The night's biggest victor was One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, which secured six awards from a record 14 nominations. Its accolades included:
- Best Film
- Best Director
- Adapted Screenplay
- Supporting Actor (Sean Penn)
- Cinematography
- Editing
Upon accepting Best Film, producer Sarah Murphy paid tribute to absent partner Adam Somner, while Anderson celebrated the year's cinematic achievements, remarking, 'Anybody that says movies aren't any good any more they can piss off because this is just a great f*****g year.'
Notable Snubs and Rising Stars
In a surprising turn, Marty Supreme, which entered with 11 nominations, left empty-handed. Similarly, Timothee Chalamet lost the Best Actor award to Robert Aramayo for I Swear, with Aramayo's father visibly elated in the audience. Aramayo also won the EE BAFTA Rising Star award, the only category decided by public vote.
Other key winners included Wunmi Mosaku for Supporting Actress in Sinners and Zootropolis 2 for Animated Film. The ceremony underscored a mix of expected triumphs and unexpected outcomes, reflecting the dynamic nature of this year's film industry.
