Manipuri film Boong, produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, won the prestigious BAFTA Award for Best Children’s & Family Film in London yesterday. The film’s debutant director, Lakshmipriya Devi, made an emotional plea for peace in her acceptance speech after receiving the coveted trophy from Paddington Bear, the lead character starring in the West End show Paddington The Musical. She was joined on stage by producers Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani and the assistant director of Boong, Rahul Sharda. The Manipuri film, starring Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam, beat international competition from other nominees ‘Lilo and Stitch’, ‘Arco’ and ‘Zootropolis 2’.
The action thriller ‘One Battle After Another’ dominated the 79th British Academy Film Awards, popularly known as the BAFTAs, winning six awards including Best Film. Paul Thomas Anderson was named Best Director for ‘One Battle After Another.’ He also won awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Cinematography, and dedicated his directing honour to late producer and assistant director Brit Adam Somner. Vampire saga “Sinners” and gothic horror “Frankenstein” won three awards each. Ryan Coogler took Best Original Screenplay for ‘Sinners,’ while Wunmi Mosaku won Supporting Actress.
Sean Penn claimed Supporting Actor for ‘One Battle After Another.’ Jessie Buckley was named Best Actress for ‘Hamnet,’ while Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for the British indie film ‘I Swear,’ beating nominees including Leonardo DiCaprio and Timothée Chalamet. ‘Hamnet’ also won Best British Film. The ceremony, held at London’s Royal Festival Hall, was attended by leading Hollywood and British stars, along with Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. With 14 BAFTA nominations and 13 Oscar nominations, “One Battle After Another” now heads into the Academy Awards as a strong contender.
The star-studded 2026 British Academy Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, held at the Royal Festival Hall by the river Thames, included Bollywood star Alia Bhatt as a celebrity guest presenter for the Best Film not in the English Language trophy for Nordic drama ‘Sentimental Value’.
