BAFTA 2025: A Night of Surprises!
Okay, so the 78th British Academy Film Awards – the BAFTAs, for those not in the know – happened on February 16th, 2025, at London's Royal Festival Hall. It was a pretty big deal, and honestly, I wasn't expecting things to get *quite* so dramatic.
Two Titans Clash (and Both Win Big!)
Everyone was buzzing about which film would take home the top prize. Conclave, this gripping movie about papal elections (yes, really!), came in with a whopping 12 nominations. The Brutalist, a period drama starring Adrien Brody, was also a strong contender. Turns out, they both were! Both films ended up with four awards each. It was a real nail-biter, a cinematic heavyweight fight, if you will.
Conclave: A Papal Victory
Conclave absolutely smashed it. Best Film? Check. Outstanding British Film? Double check. Best Adapted Screenplay (a big shout-out to Peter Straughan) and Best Editing? You get the picture. It was a complete sweep, and the whole team must have been absolutely ecstatic. It cemented Conclave’s status as a major player, both critically and commercially.
The Brutalist: Brody's Brilliant Performance
But let's not forget The Brutalist. Adrien Brody's performance as a Hungarian-Jewish architect was apparently mesmerizing. He snagged Best Actor, and the film also won Best Director (Brady Corbet), Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score. It was a pretty powerful showing, proving that sometimes, a period drama can really pack a punch.
Some Unexpected Winners (and a Few Familiar Faces)
While Conclave and The Brutalist dominated, there were some other fantastic wins. Mikey Madison's Best Actress win for Anora was a total shock! Seriously, who saw that coming? She beat out the heavily favored Demi Moore. Zoe Saldana won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, which also won Best Film Not in the English Language. And Kieran Culkin continued his award-winning streak, taking home Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain. Lastly, David Jonsson won the EE Rising Star Award – always a crowd-pleaser.
David Tennant Steals the Show (Again!)
David Tennant hosted again this year, and let me tell you, the man is a natural. His opening monologue was hilarious – he even poked fun at Donald Trump! The whole ceremony had such a fun, lighthearted vibe. It aired on Lionsgate Play in India, which is pretty cool for international audiences.
Key Wins: A Quick Recap
Best Film: Conclave Outstanding British Film: Conclave Leading Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora) Leading Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldana (Emilia PĂ©rez) Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) Director: Brady Corbet (The Brutalist)
A Night to Remember
The 2025 BAFTAs were full of surprises and well-deserved wins. The fact that Conclave and The Brutalist both had such a strong showing really highlights the incredible variety of filmmaking that happened last year. It was a fantastic night and definitely solidified the BAFTAs' place as one of the biggest events in the film world. Want to see the full list of winners? Check out Trending Desk!
