London, 14th February 2025 – At the 2025 BAFTA Awards, the Vatican-set thriller Conclave claimed the prestigious title of Best Picture, with Edward Berger’s direction earning widespread acclaim. The film, which explores the power struggles surrounding the election of a new pope, garnered four awards including Outstanding British Film, Adapted Screenplay, and Editing. Starring Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal navigating a turbulent Vatican, Conclave went into the evening with a record 12 nominations, the highest of any contender.
Edward Berger’s Emotional Acceptance
Berger, who won multiple BAFTA awards for his work on All Quiet on the Western Front (2023), took to the stage to accept the Outstanding British Film award. Reflecting on the current state of global democracy, Berger stated, “We live in a time of a crisis of democracy. Institutions used to bringing us together are now used to pull us apart. Sometimes it’s hard to keep the faith, and that’s why we make movies.” Closing his speech with a poignant quote from Leonard Cohen, “There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in,” Berger underscored the timely themes of division and hope explored in Conclave.
The Brutalist Dominates Acting and Cinematography Categories
The Brutalist, Brady Corbet’s epic drama about a Hungarian modernist architect, also received recognition with multiple wins, including Best Director for Corbet and Best Leading Actor for Adrien Brody. Brody, who plays the central character, was effusive in his gratitude, thanking the British public for their support of his career and calling England “quite a lot like home.” He also dedicated part of his speech to his partner, Georgina Chapman, calling her an “angel” and expressing deep appreciation for her support.
Mikey Madison Shocks with Best Actress Win
In a surprising twist, Mikey Madison took home the Best Actress award for her role in Anora, where she portrays an exotic dancer involved in a complex romance with a Russian oligarch’s son. The win was particularly notable as she triumphed over Demi Moore (for The Substance) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (for Hard Truths). During her acceptance speech, Madison gave a heartfelt shout-out to the sex worker community, saying, “I see you, you deserve respect and human decency. I will always be a friend and an ally, and I implore others to do the same.”
Emilia Pérez and Zoe Saldaña Win Big
In other notable awards, Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez won Best Film Not in the English Language despite the controversy surrounding star Karla Sofía Gascón’s past social media posts. The film, which deals with a Mexican cartel leader’s transition while escaping the mob, also won Best Casting. Audiard’s emotional acceptance speech extended an olive branch to Gascón, who had apologized for her offensive remarks. Zoe Saldaña claimed Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, further solidifying her status as an Oscars frontrunner.
Meanwhile, Kieran Culkin clinched Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Jesse Eisenberg’s erratic cousin in A Real Pain, a performance that has made him the clear favorite for an Oscar nomination. Culkin’s absence from the ceremony due to a family emergency prompted Eisenberg to accept the award on his behalf, describing him as “one of these lovely people who’s brilliantly talented but by some random luck of the cosmos has his priorities in order.”
Other Notable Wins
The Best Original Screenplay award went to Jesse Eisenberg for A Real Pain, a win that surprised even the writer-director himself, who dedicated the award to his wife, Anna, with whom he has shared 20 years of partnership. In a heartfelt moment, Eisenberg acknowledged his wife’s influence, joking, “Anna, you put every worthwhile thought into my head over the last 20 years and I love you so much.”
In animation, Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl triumphed in both the Best Animation and Best Family Film categories, beating other strong contenders like Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot.
Rich Peppiatt’s Kneecap won the Outstanding Debut by a British Director award. Peppiatt took a moment to thank his wife, whom he met 15 years ago to the day, acknowledging that their journey together had played a pivotal role in his creative journey.
Closing Thoughts
The 2025 BAFTA Awards were a night of surprises, emotional speeches, and impressive wins for films that tackled pressing societal issues and showcased extraordinary talent across the board. From Conclave’s sweeping victories to Mikey Madison’s breakthrough performance, the night marked an important moment in the awards season, with many films poised to make an impact at the 2025 Academy Awards.
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