The politically charged thriller, One Battle After Another, has made a notable impression at the British Academy Film Awards, triumphing with six awards, including the prestigious best picture. This success sets an encouraging tone for its prospects at the upcoming Hollywood Academy Awards.

Meanwhile, Sinners, a vampire epic steeped in blues, and the gothic horror tale Frankenstein, each garnered three awards. The Shakespearean-inspired family tragedy, Hamnet, also received recognition, securing two awards, one of which was for best British film.

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another tells the gripping story of revolutionaries embroiled in a turbulent struggle against the state. It earned accolades for directing, adapted screenplay, cinematography, and editing. Notably, Sean Penn received an award for his compelling supporting role as an intensely driven military officer.

Addressing the audience, Cumming reflected on the cinematic landscape, noting that while it was a strong year for film, the themes were far from light-hearted. The nominated films delved into weighty subjects such as child death, racism, and political violence.

“Watching the films this year was akin to experiencing a collective nervous breakdown,” he remarked, adding, “It’s almost as though real-world events are profoundly shaping filmmakers’ narratives.”

“It’s almost as though there are events going on in the real world that are influencing filmmakers.”

The ceremony was more glitz than gloom, though, including a performance by Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami – the voices of animated band HUNTR/X in box office juggernaut KPop Demon Hunters – singing the movie hit Golden.

Putin critic wins best documentary

The best-documentary prize went to Mr Nobody Against Putin, about a Russian teacher who documented the propaganda imposed on Russian schools after the invasion of Ukraine.

The film’s American director David Borenstein said that teacher Pavel Talankin had shown that “whether it’s in Russia or the streets of Minneapolis, we always face a moral choice,” referring to the protests against US immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

“We need more Mr Nobodies,” he said.

It beat documentaries including Mstyslav Chernov’s harrowing Ukraine war portrait 2000 Metres to Andriivka, co-produced by The Associated Press and Frontline PBS.

Most BAFTA winners are chosen by 8500 members of the UK academy of industry professionals.

The Rising Star award, which is decided by public vote, went to Aramayo.

Donna Langley, the UK-born chairwoman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, was awarded the British Academy’s highest honor, the BAFTA fellowship.

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