BAFTA Awards Honor Industry Veterans and Newcomers Alike

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony, held in London on Sunday, was a night to remember, with the British Academy honoring industry veterans and newcomers alike. The ceremony recognized the contributions of Donna Langley, chair of NBCUniversal Entertainment, with the BAFTA Fellowship, the organization's highest honor.

Langley, the first British woman to run a major Hollywood studio, took to the stage to accept the award, highlighting the power of cinema to bring people together. "We are ... facing moments of change and disruption today," she said. "And my hope is that those of us who help tell stories for a living continue to find inspiration to make popular art that carries over into people's everyday lives — that helps us understand the world a bit better and to see each other a little more clearly... and reminds us that decency is a superpower."

The ceremony also honored Paul Thomas Anderson, who won the Best Director award for his film "One Battle After Another." Anderson quipped, "I feel like the prettiest girl in the room right now," prompting laughter from the crowd. He dedicated his award to the late producer Adam Somner.

Meanwhile, Josh Safdie's sports dramedy "Marty Supreme" left the ceremony with an unwelcome distinction, tying the record for most losses in a single night after going 0-for-11. Despite this, the film's nomination strength and broad appeal were acknowledged by the BAFTA voters.

In other news, the Chinese New Year's title "Blades of the Guardians" had a successful debut, drawing a crossover audience and looking at an estimated $760k from 184 runs. The film, starring Jet Li and Wu Jing, is directed by the iconic martial arts choreographer Yuen Woo-ping.

In a separate tribute, actress Katherine Heigl paid respects to her late "Grey's Anatomy" co-star Eric Dane, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 53 after a year-long struggle with ALS. Heigl shared her gratitude for having had the opportunity to work with Dane, saying, "I debated this post for days. I have never been comfortable grieving publicly... But that silence can often look like a lack of care which I could not abide here."

The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards ceremony was a celebration of cinematic achievements, honoring both industry leaders and newcomers. The event recognized the power of cinema to bring people together and inspire positive change, as echoed in Donna Langley's acceptance speech. As the film industry continues to evolve, the BAFTA Awards remain a significant benchmark for excellence and innovation in storytelling.