British-Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku has secured the best supporting actress prize at the 2026 Bafta film awards for her compelling performance in the vampire film Sinners. The star, who is currently heavily pregnant, triumphed over notable nominees including Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another and Emily Watson for Hamnet.
Emotional Acceptance Speech Highlights Immigrant Journey
In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Mosaku dedicated the award to her daughter, stating, "Thank you Bafta for this incredible honour. To my daughter, you are my greatest teacher. I am so proud of you, everything begins and ends with you." She then delved into the personal significance of her role, revealing how it helped her reconnect with parts of her identity.
"I found a part of myself in Annie, a part of my hopes, my ancestral power and connection, parts I thought I had lost or tried to dim as an immigrant trying to fit in," Mosaku explained. Addressing director Ryan Coogler, she added, "I felt the presence of the ancestors' pride and joy daily on your set," underscoring the profound impact of the film's creative environment.
Other Key Winners and Ceremony Highlights
The ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming, opened with a humorous yet poignant remark about the year's cinematic themes. Cumming noted, "watching films this year was like taking part in a collective nervous breakdown," referencing the distress in films like Hamnet and One Battle After Another. He quipped, "It's almost like there are events in the real world that are influencing filmmakers," before suggesting a collective primal scream for relief.
In other awards, Avatar: Fire And Ash claimed the first prize of the night for best visual effects. Sean Penn won best supporting actor for One Battle After Another, though he was absent from the event. Frankenstein earned Baftas for production design and make-up and hair styling, while Boong was honoured as the best family film.
Cumming also injected levity with a playful reference to Paul Mescal's nominated role as William Shakespeare, asking, "I'm not sure what seat Paul Mescal is in? Is it 2B or not...?" This moment added a light-hearted touch to an evening celebrating cinematic excellence and diverse storytelling.
