What Won Big at the BAFTA Film Awards?

The 79th BAFTA Film Awards ceremony took place on Sunday at London's Royal Festival Hall, hosted by Alan Cumming. The event was marked by a surprise appearance by Prince William and Kate Middleton, their first joint public showing since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The royal couple arrived at the end of the red carpet, with their attendance not confirmed by BAFTA or Kensington Palace beforehand.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Broadway shows were canceled for the evening due to an anticipated blizzard and evening travel bans. The Broadway League announced the cancellation of all evening performances, citing the safety of attendees and performers.

Back in London, the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony was underway, with Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" and Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" leading the nominations with 14 and 13 nods, respectively. Other top nominees included Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet," Josh Safdie's "Marty Supreme," Joachim Trier's "Sentimental Value," and Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein."

The winners of the BAFTA Film Awards were announced throughout the evening, with British features "Hamnet" and "I Swear" hoping to take home a coveted bronze mask. The ceremony was also attended by industry professionals, including Cathy Payne, Chief Executive of Banijay Rights, who was in town for the London TV Screenings.

In an interview with Deadline, Payne discussed the shifts in the TV distribution industry, emphasizing the importance of size in the current market. Banijay is one of the founders of the London TV Screenings, alongside All3Media, Fremantle, and ITV Studios. The event has become a firm fixture on the international TV calendar, despite rumors of potential mergers and acquisitions in the industry.

As the 2026 Screenings got underway, Payne noted that TV distribution is a complex and ever-changing landscape. While she did not comment on the potential Banijay and All3Media tie-up, she emphasized the need for companies to adapt to the shifting market.

The BAFTA Film Awards ceremony was a celebration of the best in British and international filmmaking, with a surprise royal appearance adding to the excitement. As the winners were announced and the evening drew to a close, the focus turned to the future of the film and TV industries, with industry leaders like Payne at the forefront of the conversation.

In related news, Ilker Çatak's "Yellow Letters" won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, marking a significant achievement for the film. The Berlinale ceremony was notable for its politically charged atmosphere, with many attendees and winners addressing the current state of the world.

As the film and TV industries continue to evolve, events like the BAFTA Film Awards and the London TV Screenings provide a platform for creators and industry professionals to come together and celebrate their work. Despite the challenges posed by the blizzard and the ever-changing market, the show must go on – and it did, in style, at the 79th BAFTA Film Awards.