BAFTA Awards 2024: ‘The Holdovers’ Wins Best Film & Paul Thomas Anderson Directs to Victory

“One Battle After Another” Claims Top Prize at 2026 BAFTA Film Awards

February 22, 2026 – Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” was the big winner at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, taking home the award for Best Film on Sunday night. Anderson also received the award for Best Director, his first BAFTA win in that category, having previously been nominated for “We Will Be Blood” and “Licorice Pizza.”

The politically-charged satire, loosely inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel “Vineland,” follows ex-revolutionaries reuniting to rescue a comrade’s daughter after an old enemy resurfaces. The film features an ensemble cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti.

Accepting the Director award, Anderson delivered a memorable speech, quipping, “I feel like the prettiest girl in the room right now.” He then dedicated the award to Adam Somner, his late producer and assistant director, who worked with Anderson for approximately 20 years.

“You may think that your greatest export is Alfred Hitchcock or Charlie Chaplin, but it wasn’t,” Anderson said, according to reports. “To me, it was Adam Somner, who was my assistant director and producer for about 20 years. He came over to America and the line was out the door of people who wanted to work with him because he made us all better.”

Anderson continued, recounting how Somner continued to work on the film even after receiving a serious illness diagnosis. “About three weeks into our film, he found out he was sick, and he made it through production. If you’ve ever gone to work before with someone who’s very ill, there’s something miraculous that makes you pay attention and reminds you the privilege of the work that we do. So thank you for sending him to me.”

Following the win, Anderson offered a pointed message to those who claim modern cinema is lacking in quality. “Anybody that says movies aren’t any good anymore should piss right off,” he said to cheers and laughter. He then suggested a celebratory gathering at a local bar, stating, “It’s been a long evening, but we have so much to celebrate.”

Anderson also shared a quote from Nina Simone, which was featured in the film: “She says, ‘I know what freedom is, it’s no fear,’” Anderson said. “So let’s keep making things without fear. It’s a good idea. See ya at the bar!”

When asked backstage about the film’s themes, Anderson acknowledged the relevance of its title in the current global climate. “Well yeah, sure, we do [need a revolution]. We always do. We just need to conduct a revolution, hopefully without violence, and do it properly… Unfortunately, the title makes sense. It just does start to seem like one battle after another these days.”

The BAFTA awards, held at the Royal Festival Hall and hosted by David Tennant, also recognized other notable achievements in film. Robert Downey Jr. Won the award for Supporting Actor for his role in “Oppenheimer,” while Da’Vine Joy Randolph received the Supporting Actress award for “The Holdovers.” “Oppenheimer” itself secured seven BAFTAs including Best Film.

June Givanni was honored with the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award. The ceremony celebrated the best in British and international cinema, setting the stage for the upcoming Academy Awards.