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The 78th British Academy Film Awards, commonly known as the BAFTAs, took place on February 16, 2025, with Conclave and The Brutalist emerging as the big winners of the night, each taking home four awards. The ceremony, hosted by David Tennant, saw a range of films and actors being recognized for their outstanding work in the film industry. One of the most notable wins of the night was Mikey Madison's best actress award for her portrayal of a New York sex worker in the black comedy Anora.
The papal thriller Conclave, directed by Edward Berger, won the BAFTA for best film, with Berger paying tribute to the film's wonderful script and lead actor Ralph Fiennes in his acceptance speech. The film also picked up awards for outstanding British film, editing, and best adapted screenplay. On the other hand, The Brutalist, directed by Brad Corby, won the BAFTA for best director, with Adrien Brody scooping up the best actor gong for his portrayal of a Hungarian Holocaust survivor and architect. The film also took awards for cinematography and original score.
Other notable winners of the night included Zoe Saldana, who won the best supporting actress award for her role in Emilia Perez, a surreal musical about a Mexican drug lord who transitions to a woman. Saldana dedicated her award to her trans nephew and expressed her support for the LGBTQ community. The film Wicked picked up two BAFTAs, including one for production design, while Rich Peppiatt won the award for outstanding debut by a British writer for his docu-drama Kneecap. Dune: Part Two also won BAFTAs for special visual effects and best sound.
The BAFTAs are often seen as a precursor to the Oscars, but they can also diverge from the films favored by the Academy Awards. This year's ceremony was no exception, with some surprise wins and snubs. Despite being heavily favored at the beginning of the year, Emilia Perez only emerged with two BAFTAs, following the controversy surrounding lead actor Karla Sofia Gascon's old racist and Islamophobic tweets. The ceremony also saw a range of stars in attendance, including Demi Moore, Timothee Chalamet, and Ariana Grande, although they all emerged empty-handed.
The BAFTAs are a significant event in the British film industry, and this year's ceremony was no exception. With a range of talented films and actors being recognized, the ceremony was a celebration of the best of British and international cinema. The wins for Conclave and The Brutalist are likely to have a significant impact on the Oscars, with some of the films and actors being recognized for their outstanding work. As the film industry continues to evolve, the BAFTAs remain an important event, recognizing and rewarding excellence in filmmaking, and this year's ceremony was a testament to the diversity and talent of the film industry.
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