By Sara Bright
The 78th British Academy Film Awards, held at London’s Southbank Centre, blended poignant storytelling with refined glamour, as Conclave and The Brutalist dominated the accolades while Hollywood’s elite dazzled on the red carpet. Hosted by David Tennant, the ceremony underscored British cinema’s evolving identity – bridging arthouse gravitas with mainstream appeal – against a backdrop of muted yet striking fashion choices.
Major Wins and Surprising Snubs
Edward Berger’s Conclave, a taut Vatican thriller starring Ralph Fiennes, swept Best Film, Outstanding British Film, and Adapted Screenplay, cementing its status as an Oscar frontrunner. Meanwhile, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist, a haunting exploration of architectural obsession, earned Best Director for Corbet and Best Actor for Adrien Brody – his first BAFTA since The Pianist (2003). Brody’s win overshadowed Timothée Chalamet’s transformative turn as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, a snub that sparked murmurs among critics.
In the actress categories, newcomer Mikey Madison claimed Best Leading Actress for her raw portrayal of a Brooklyn stripper in Sean Baker’s Anora, while Zoë Saldaña secured Best Supporting Actress as a cartel wife in Jacques Audiard’s gender-fluid musical Emilia Pérez. The latter also triumphed as Best Film Not in the English Language, reinforcing Audiard’s flair for genre-defying narratives. Notably, Russian actor Yuri Borisov (Anora) lost Best Supporting Actor to Kieran Culkin’s nuanced performance in A Real Pain, a decision reflecting BAFTA’s preference for introspective character studies.
Red Carpet: Bridalcore and Quiet Luxury
Against London’s dreary February skies, attendees embraced a palette of monochromatic elegance, blending austerity with romance. Demi Moore, a front-row fixture, stunned in a crystal-encrusted Alexander McQueen gown, its mermaid silhouette channelling Old Hollywood opulence. Saoirse Ronan and Mikey Madison echoed the “bridalcore” trend in ivory satin – Ronan in a minimalist Louis Vuitton column dress, Madison in a Prada creation with a cascading shawl.
Selena Gomez defied expectations in a custom Schiaparelli gown, its celestial embroidery and plunging neckline marrying avant-garde daring with timeless grace. Conversely, Cynthia Erivo’s architectural Louis Vuitton lace dress – a structural marvel with a gravity-defying bodice – epitomised “quiet luxury,” a theme echoed in Timothée Chalamet’s sharp Bottega Veneta suit and Jeremy Strong’s pared-back tailoring after his Golden Globes viral moment.
Pamela Anderson’s choice of a Jacquemus white wrap dress, fresh off the Paris runway, divided opinions. While some praised its minimalist chic, others deemed its ethereal silhouette at odds with Anderson’s typically bold aesthetic.
Absent Royals and Tennant’s Wit
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ absence – reportedly holidaying in Mustique – left a regal void, with Prince William’s role as BAFTA president unfilled. Tennant, however, filled the room with irreverent charm, joking, “If the Crown won’t grace us, we’ll crown our own royalty – starting with Jeff Goldblum’s purple glasses.” Goldblum, introducing a Wicked performance, leaned into his eccentric persona with a paisley waistcoat and matching spectacles, while Gwendoline Christie channelled gothic drama in a Giles Deacon-designed ensemble.
Documentaries and Rising Stars
Best Documentary went to Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, a moving tribute to resilience, while Will & Harper – chronicling Will Ferrell’s road trip with transgender friend Harper Steele – won hearts for its humour and humanity. The EE Rising Star Award, voted by the public, went to Mia McKenna-Bruce (How to Have Sex), whose lavender Vivienne Westwood mini-dress symbolised Gen-Z’s blend of rebellion and refinement.
Industry Reflections and Oscar Forecasts
BAFTA’s choices signal a shift toward narratives interrogating power structures, from Conclave’s ecclesiastical machinations to The Brutalist’s critique of creative obsession. With 18 categories overlapping the Oscars, wins for Brody and Saldaña position them as strong contenders, though Barbie’s absence from major nominations hints at lingering tensions between commercial and critical darlings.
As the night closed with Take That’s nostalgic set, BAFTA 2025 affirmed its role as both a celebration and a barometer – honouring cinema’s power to mirror societal fractures while offering escapism through sheer spectacle. The world now turns to Hollywood, where the Oscars will reveal whether Britain’s favourites can conquer global acclaim.
