Papal thriller ''Conclave'' and immigrant epic ''The Brutalist'' emerged as the big winners at the 2025 BAFTA Awards on Sunday, each claiming four prestigious awards.
''Conclave'', directed by Edward Berger, won Best Film, with Berger praising British screenwriter Peter Straughan’s script and lead actor Ralph Fiennes for his performance. Berger reflected on the seven-year journey to make the film, which explores the intrigue surrounding the election of a new pope.
Meanwhile, ''The Brutalist'', directed by Brady Corbet, won Best Director for Corbet and Best Actor for Adrien Brody, who portrayed a Hungarian Holocaust survivor. Brody spoke about honoring his own ancestral struggles through the role.
Veteran actor Ralph Fiennes missed out on a BAFTA once again, losing to Brody in the Best Actor category.
The highly anticipated ''Emilia Perez'', a surreal musical about a transgender Mexican drug lord, only picked up two BAFTAs, including Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana, following a controversy surrounding its lead actress Karla Sofia Gascon.
A surprising winner of the night was Mikey Madison, who won Best Actress for her role as a sex worker in ''Anora''. Madison dedicated her award to the sex worker community, emphasizing their need for respect and dignity.
The BAFTAs also honored ''Kieran Culkin'' with Best Supporting Actor for ''A Real Pain'', and ''Jesse Eisenberg'' won Best Original Screenplay for the same film. ''Conclave'' also took home awards for Outstanding British Film, Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay, while ''The Brutalist'' secured awards for Cinematography and Original Score.
''Wicked'' earned two BAFTAs for Costume and Production Design, and ''Dune: Part Two'' claimed awards for Special Visual Effects and Best Sound. ''Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl'' picked up two BAFTAs for Best Animated Feature and Best Children’s and Family Film.
The evening also recognized ''The Substance'', which received a BAFTA for Hair and Make-up, with French director Coralie Fargeat being the only woman nominated in the directing category.
SR
