The BAFTA Film Awards were filled with excitement, surprises, and unforgettable performances. The evening kicked off with a high-energy rendition of I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Scottish star, with lively contributions from Selena Gomez, Colman Domingo, Anna Kendrick, Hugh Grant, and Camila Cabello.
The awards night saw Conclave and The Brutalist emerging as the big winners, each taking home four trophies. However, beyond the glitz and glamour of the stage, the backstage area was just as eventful, with emotional reactions, humorous exchanges, and candid moments from the night’s winners.
When Mikey Madison won Best Actress for Anora, she stepped onto the stage with no speech prepared. Backstage, she explained why—citing acting legend Robert De Niro as the reason.
"I was on The Graham Norton Show, and Robert De Niro told me not to write a speech. I thought, ‘If Robert De Niro says that, I should probably listen.’ But then I forgot to thank so many important people!" she laughed.
Despite feeling overwhelmed, Madison expressed her deep gratitude for the recognition. "Being an actress is my dream, and to have my film recognized like this is incredibly special. I don’t think I’ll ever fully grasp the magnitude of this moment."
The creative minds behind Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl—Richard Beek, Nick Park, and Merlin Crossingham—were thrilled about their Best Animated Film win. However, they revealed that one particular joke in the film didn’t quite land with American audiences.
The character Anton Deck, a nod to British TV hosts Ant & Dec, left US viewers puzzled. "At the American screenings, there was complete silence—except for one British person in the corner laughing," Crossingham shared.
Despite this cultural divide, the filmmakers were proud of their British humor. "Even if they're laughing at us rather than with us, as long as they're laughing, we’re happy!"
Jesse Eisenberg, who won Best Original Screenplay for A Real Pain, entered the winners' room clutching his BAFTA and asking, "Am I supposed to hold this heavy thing the entire time?"
After being reassured he could put it down, Eisenberg reflected on his success in the UK. "The only other award I won for this was from the London Film Critics. I think I’m living in the wrong country!" he joked.
He also spoke about his relationship with co-star Kieran Culkin, who won Best Supporting Actor. "People imagine we text all the time, but I’ll send him a message today saying, ‘Congrats, man!’ and three weeks later, I’ll finally get a reply saying, ‘Thanks!’"
Zoe Saldaña continued her awards season dominance by winning Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez. She reflected on performing in Spanish for the musical and how it reconnected her with her roots.
"Spanish was my first language—I was spoken to and sung to in Spanish. My entire career has existed in English, but this film allowed me to merge my culture with my art in a meaningful way."
Discussing her musical number El Mal, she admitted, "Rehearsing was about rediscovering a part of me I had let go of for over 20 years. Jumping into the unknown was terrifying but necessary."
Warwick Davis received the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship, but when he first heard the news, he thought it was a phishing attempt.
"I was on the toilet when I got the email," he revealed with a laugh. "I do a lot of my admin work there—call it paperwork, but that might give the wrong impression!"
He initially believed the email was a scam. "I thought, ‘This can’t be real!’ So I checked the sender, and it was actually BAFTA. Then I finished up—probably too much information—and went to celebrate with my kids."
Adrien Brody, who won Best Actor for The Brutalist, admitted he was too hungry to fully process his victory.
"I haven’t eaten yet, so I’m not sure how I feel, but I know I’m happy!" he joked backstage.
Reflecting on his career resurgence, Brody credited life experience for shaping his performance. "The ups and downs, the triumphs and losses—they all help me bring authenticity to my work. I’ve been yearning for an opportunity like this for years."
Before heading off, he made one final remark: "Now, I just need to get some food!"
Edward Berger, director of Conclave, saw his film make history by winning both Best Film and Best British Film—the first to do so since 1917.
"I feel so welcomed here in the UK—I might never leave!" he said, clearly overwhelmed by the double victory.
Discussing his cast, which included Stanley Tucci, Ralph Fiennes, and Isabella Rossellini, Berger compared them to an orchestra. "Casting is like composing music. We put their photos up on a wall, and it just felt like the perfect ensemble—each of them a different instrument contributing to a bigger piece."
Brady Corbet, who won Best Director for The Brutalist, admitted he was running on fumes. "I’m so jet-lagged and exhausted, but I’m thrilled."
Despite the demanding nature of filmmaking, Corbet is encouraged by the success of his ambitious 3.5-hour film. "People always say audiences don’t want long, challenging films, but The Brutalist has made $30 million globally. That proves there’s still an appetite for original, daring cinema."
Looking ahead, he’s eager for some rest. "Awards season is almost over, and I’m looking forward to just… sleeping!"
These backstage moments captured the raw emotions, humor, and reflections of the night’s biggest winners. From unexpected advice to heartfelt gratitude, the BAFTA Film Awards once again proved to be a celebration of cinematic excellence, culture, and personality.
