The 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) celebrated cinematic excellence on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at the Royal Festival Hall in London’s Southbank Centre. Hosted by the charismatic Alan Cumming, the event brought together the biggest names in global cinema for a night of glitz and glamour. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” emerged as the night’s most acclaimed film, securing six awards, including the prestigious Best Film, Best Director for Anderson, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

A significant highlight of the evening was the outstanding representation and success of Nigerian talent. Wunmi Mosaku was honored with the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners.” Heavily pregnant, Mosaku delivered a deeply personal and impactful acceptance speech that captivated the room. Furthermore, Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies made history by winning the BAFTA for Outstanding British Debut for their film “My Father’s Shadow,” marking the first time Nigerian filmmakers have achieved this recognition. “Sinners” itself had a strong showing, collecting three BAFTAs in total, solidifying its status as one of the year’s most celebrated films. The ceremony also saw the attendance of the Prince and Princess of Wales and was broadcast across the UK on BBC One and iPlayer.

Beyond the major wins for “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners,” other notable accolades included Jessie Buckley for Leading Actress in “Hamnet” and Leonardo DiCaprio for Leading Actor in “One Battle After Another.” Sean Penn also took home the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in “One Battle After Another.” “Hamnet” was recognized as the Outstanding British Film, while “Sentimental Value” received the award for Film Not in the English Language. The Original Screenplay award went to “Sinners,” and Robert Aramayo was honored with the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award. Other technical categories saw wins for Ludwig Göransson for Original Score in “Sinners,” “I Swear” for Casting, “One Battle After Another” for Cinematography and Editing, and “Frankenstein” for Costume Design, Production Design, Make-up and Hair. “F1” won for Sound, and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” for Special Visual Effects. The night unequivocally underscored the power of film and marked a particularly triumphant evening for Nigerian artists.

Adding to the splendor of the night, Wunmi Mosaku’s red carpet appearance was a talking point. She graced the event in a stunning royal blue custom Ahluwalia gown, a creation by a fellow British-Nigerian designer. The one-shoulder gown featured a coordinating choker, an architectural and structured neckline, and a bodice composed of layered, folded panels, lending the silhouette considerable depth. The skirt flowed into a full-length fringe hem with a subtle front split, creating dynamic movement with her every step. Her stylist, Shameelah Hicks, meticulously crafted the look, emphasizing color as a non-negotiable element and ensuring comfort without appearing to wear maternity attire. Mosaku completed her ensemble with Stuart Weitzman strappy heeled sandals, Moussaieff silver hoops and rings, a neat low braided updo by Dionne Smith, and a bold teal and blue eyeshadow matching the dress, expertly applied by Nigerian London-based makeup artist Joy Adenuga, with nails by Lucy Tucker Nails. Mosaku’s perfectly styled presence, combined with her BAFTA win and her representation of British-Nigerian talent, ensured she had an truly incredible night.