BAFTA Awards Honor Exceptional Talent Amidst Tragedy and Triumph

The 79th BAFTA Film Awards, held at London's Royal Festival Hall, was a night to remember, with Prince William presenting the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship to NBCUniversal chair Donna Langley. The British-born studio head was recognized for her exceptional contribution to film, with Prince William calling her a "shining light" in the industry.

Langley's achievement was just one of many highlights from the evening, which also saw Robert Aramayo make history by becoming the first performer to win both the Leading Actor award and the Rising Star Award in one night. Aramayo's portrayal of Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson in the British film "I Swear" earned him the top honor, beating out stiff competition from Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet.

Aramayo's win was met with scenes of jubilation, and his acceptance speech was filled with gratitude and humility. "I honestly cannot believe that I have won this award," he said. "Everyone in this category blows me away." He also thanked fellow nominee Ethan Hawke for inspiring his journey into acting.

Meanwhile, director Paul Thomas Anderson had a message for critics of modern cinema after his film "One Battle After Another" claimed the BAFTA for Best Film. "Anybody that says movies aren't any good anymore should piss right off," he said to cheers and laughter.

However, the evening was not without its somber moments. The sports world was still reeling from the news of NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore's passing, who died by apparent suicide at the age of 25. Moore had struggled with season-ending knee injuries in recent years and was found dead in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana.

For those who missed the ceremony, the 2026 BAFTA Awards will be broadcast in the U.S. on cable TV for the first time ever, airing on E! at 8 p.m. PT/ET on Sunday, February 22. Cord-cutters can also catch the star-studded evening on live TV streaming services such as DirecTV, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV.

The BAFTA Awards continue to be a celebration of exceptional talent and achievement in the film industry, and this year's ceremony was no exception. Amidst the triumph and tragedy, the evening served as a reminder of the power of cinema to bring people together and inspire us to see the world in new and different ways.

Sources:

• Prince William Awards ‘Exceptional’ NBCUniversal Chief Donna Langley Highest BAFTA Honor: ‘She Is a Shining Light’
• Paul Thomas Anderson on ‘One Battle After Another’ Winning Best Film at the BAFTAs: ‘Anybody That Says Movies Aren’t Any Good Anymore Should Piss Right Off’
• Robert Aramayo Makes Some History & Stuns BAFTA Film Awards With Best Actor Win
• NFL Wide Receiver Rondale Moore Dies At 25
• How to Watch the 2026 BAFTA Awards Online in the U.S.