‘One Battle After Another’ Dominates 2026 BAFTA Awards, Robert Aramayo Shines
Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller, One Battle After Another, was the big winner at the 79th British Academy Film Awards held Sunday at London’s Royal Festival Hall, taking home six honors. The ceremony, hosted by Alan Cumming, also saw history made by Ryan Coogler’s Sinners and a stunning win for Robert Aramayo in I Swear.
Key Wins for ‘One Battle After Another’
One Battle After Another secured BAFTAs for:
- Best Film
- Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson)
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing
- Best Supporting Actor (Sean Penn)
The film led the nominations with a total of 14.
‘Sinners’ Makes History
Ryan Coogler’s vampire horror drama, Sinners, earned three awards, marking a record for the most honors received by a film from a Black filmmaker. The wins included:
- Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler)
- Best Original Score
- Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku)
Sinners received 13 nominations overall.
Robert Aramayo’s Breakthrough Performance in ‘I Swear’
I Swear, a dramedy centered on a Tourette Syndrome advocate, surprised audiences with three wins. Robert Aramayo took home two statuettes:
- Rising Star Award (voted by the public)
- Best Actor
The film also won Best Casting. Aramayo’s win for Best Actor was met with audible gasps from the audience, as he bested nominees including Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio, marking the first time in 25 years BAFTA awarded the prize to a non-Oscar nominee in the category.
Other Notable Wins
- Best Actress: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) – the first Irish actress to win the BAFTA for Best Actress.
- Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer: Steve – Tim Mielants, Alan Moloney, Cillian Murphy, Max Porter.
- Outstanding British Film: Hamnet
A Night of Surprises and Recognition
The 2026 BAFTA Awards celebrated a diverse range of films and talent, with One Battle After Another emerging as the dominant force. The wins for Sinners and Robert Aramayo’s performance in I Swear highlighted a night of both expected triumphs and delightful surprises.