Ever stayed up way too late just to see if that one niche movie you loved actually got some respect? It's a vibe. The awards season usually feels like a marathon of the same five speeches, but the British Academy of Film and Television Arts always manages to throw a few curveballs. If you're looking for the breakdown on who won a bafta lately, you’ve likely noticed that the 2025 ceremonies were a total whirlwind of "finally!" moments and "wait, really?" snubs.
The Royal Festival Hall was packed. David Tennant was hosting (and honestly, his energy is unmatched). By the time the dust settled, the leaderboard looked a lot different than the early season predictions suggested.
The Big Screen Heavyweights
Let's talk about Conclave. Edward Berger’s thriller about the secret process of picking a pope didn't just show up; it dominated. It walked away with the big one—Best Film—and also scooped up Outstanding British Film. It was a massive night for Berger, especially since he’d been largely overlooked in other major director categories earlier that year. The film also grabbed awards for Adapted Screenplay and Editing, proving that sometimes a "classy" slow-burn drama still has the juice to beat out the flashy blockbusters.
Speaking of flashy, The Brutalist was the other titan of the night. It tied with Conclave for the most wins, taking home four masks. Brady Corbet won Best Director, which felt like a huge validation for his sprawling, ambitious immigrant epic.
The acting categories were where things got really personal. Adrien Brody won Leading Actor for The Brutalist, a performance people are calling his best since The Pianist. On the other side, Mikey Madison had her "star is born" moment, winning Leading Actress for Anora. She beat out some legendary competition, including Demi Moore, which had the room buzzing.
A Quick Look at the Performance Winners
- Leading Actor: Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
- Leading Actress: Mikey Madison (Anora)
- Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain)
- Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez)
Culkin's win was a fan favorite. People have loved him since Succession, but seeing him get recognized for his work in Jesse Eisenberg’s dramedy felt right. He’s got this specific, frantic energy that just works. Zoe Saldaña also got a well-deserved win for Emilia Pérez, a film that also took home Film Not in the English Language.
Television Had Its Own Drama
If you missed the TV ceremony in May, you missed a lot of tears. Mr Bates vs The Post Office was the cultural phenomenon nobody could stop talking about. It won Limited Drama, and honestly, it felt like the whole of the UK was rooting for it. The show did more for actual political change than most news cycles, and BAFTA recognized that with a Special Award for ITV.
Lennie James finally got his due, winning Leading Actor for Mr Loverman. It’s wild that it took this long for him to get an acting BAFTA, but here we are. Marisa Abela took home Leading Actress for Industry, which is basically the "cool kid" show that everyone should be watching if they aren't already.
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And can we talk about Jessica Gunning? Her win for Supporting Actress in Baby Reindeer was a lock. If you’ve seen the show, you know. It’s haunting. It’s uncomfortable. It’s brilliant.
Don't Forget the Gamers
The 2025 Games Awards were essentially a victory lap for Astro Bot. It’s a game that is just pure, unadulterated joy, and it won five BAFTAs, including Best Game. In an industry that often leans into gritty, hyper-realistic shooters, seeing a bright, imaginative platformer win big was refreshing.
Helldivers 2 also picked up a couple of awards for Multiplayer and Music. If you’ve spent any time dodging giant bugs with your friends online this year, you know why that game resonated. It’s chaotic in the best way possible.
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What Actually Matters When We Ask Who Won A BAFTA?
Awards are subjective. We know this. But the BAFTAs usually signal where the industry's heart is. For 2025, it was clearly with "originality." Whether it was a hip-hop biopic like Kneecap (which won Outstanding Debut) or a weird, beautiful game like Thank Goodness You’re Here! (which won British Game), the winners weren't just the safest bets.
If you’re trying to keep track of who won a bafta to build your "must-watch" list, start with the outliers. Everyone will see Conclave, but don't sleep on A Real Pain or The Substance (which won Makeup & Hair).
How to use this info:
- Watch Conclave and The Brutalist back-to-back. They represent the two different poles of "prestige" cinema right now.
- Play Astro Bot. Even if you aren't a "gamer," it’s a masterclass in design.
- Binge Industry. Marisa Abela is the real deal, and that show is only getting better.
The most important takeaway? The "Fellowship" award went to Warwick Davis for Film and Kirsty Wark for TV. These are the career-capping honors that remind us these awards aren't just about one good year; they're about the people who change the landscape for everyone else.
To stay ahead of the next cycle, keep an eye on the BFI London Film Festival releases throughout the year. Most of the 2025 winners first gained steam there before they ever touched a red carpet at the Royal Festival Hall. That’s your best bet for spotting the 2026 winners before they even get nominated.