The British Academy Film Awards, commonly referred to as the BAFTAs, have offered viewers some unforgettable moments in recent years. Who can forget the charm of Ariana DeBose’s “Angela Basset did the thing,” which transformed from an awkward performance to a beloved meme? Or Ryan Gosling’s playful wink to Emma Stone last year, which ignited a frenzy among online fans?
However, for many people around the globe, including those in the United States, accessing the BAFTAs can be slightly more challenging than simply tuning into ABC or Hulu for the Oscars. Fortunately, those without a BritBox subscription can catch up on the most remarkable highlights of the night, where “Anora” didn’t dominate the awards, though Mikey Madison surprisingly triumphed over the experienced frontrunner Demi Moore, and “Conclave” took home significant accolades, while “Emilia Pérez” showed it still holds its own.
The ceremony commenced with host David Tennant, who ignited the festivities with a pre-recorded skit featuring various actors offering him encouragement as he prepared backstage. This included a lively performance from fellow Scot Brian Cox, who initiated a spirited singalong of The Proclaimers’ classic “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” Tennant joyfully joined in, bringing the energy into the auditorium, much to Selena Gomez’s astonishment when he humorously included her name in the lyrics. Several celebrities participated in the singalong, such as James McAvoy, Camila Cabello, and Colman Domingo. Others, like Adrien Brody and Demi Moore, opted out of joining the chorus but appeared entertained nonetheless.
Selena Gomez almost faced a blunder while presenting an award, as she experienced some uncertainty reading the card announcing the winner for the inaugural British writer, director, or producer award. She hesitated and quietly remarked to her co-presenter Zoe Saldaña about how to pronounce the winner’s name, finally settling on “Kneecap” and avoiding the last name, Peppiatt, altogether.
Jesse Eisenberg captured everyone’s attention with a heartfelt and humorous tribute to his wife when he won Best Screenplay for “A Real Pain.” He self-deprecatingly noted how neither he, his wife, nor his companion had anticipated his win, prompting laughter from the audience as he explained why his wife was not attending. He then shifted gears, expressing sincere gratitude to Anna Strout for her significant influence on his life: “You’ve put every worthwhile thought into my head over the last 20 years. I love you so much.”
Zoe Saldaña delivered an emotional acceptance speech upon winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Emilia Pérez,” possibly feeling the pressure of the film’s recent Oscar challenges. Overcome with emotion, she shared a teary yet fierce address, humorously acknowledging her struggles with a British accent while thanking her makeup artist as her close ally. “Films are supposed to change hearts and challenge minds, and I hope, I hope that ‘Emilia Pérez’ did something like this,” she declared, adding humor about her accent before concluding her speech.
Jeff Goldblum brought a poignant touch to the “In Memoriam” segment with a simple yet moving presentation, playing “As Time Goes By” on the piano, perfectly encapsulating the moment’s sentiment without needing flashy visuals.
Warwick Davis humorously prefaced his BAFTA Fellowship acceptance speech by declaring he would keep it “short,” urging the audience to feel free to laugh. He expressed how earning this honor was a highlight in his career, even amidst his acting history in “Star Wars.” Davis also became emotional, reflecting on his late wife, who passed away last year. “She was always so supportive of my career,” he recalled, acknowledging the difficulties he has faced since her passing but emphasizing his commitment to continuing to engage with life thanks to his children’s support.
In a surprising twist of events, Mikey Madison, star of “Anora,” took center stage and received recognition despite Demi Moore’s prior victories in the best actress category. Grateful for the win, Madison admitted she hadn’t prepared a speech and wished she had listened to her publicist’s advice. Nevertheless, she delivered a heartfelt message, honoring her director, producer, fellow cast members, and her mother, whom she considered her favorite scene partner. “I just want to say: I see you. You deserve respect and human decency,” she affirmed, pledging her ongoing support for the sex worker community.
