The papal thriller Conclave emerged as the big winner at the 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), taking home four awards, including Best Picture. The Edward Berger-directed film, starring Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal navigating the political intrigues of electing a new pope, also won Outstanding British Film, Best Editing, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Conclave was nominated in 12 categories for Sunday's prizes, including best picture, best director for Edward Berger and best actor for Ralph Fiennes, playing a cardinal corralling conniving clergy as they elect a new pope.
Matching its awards tally, The Brutalist secured four trophies, including Best Director for Brady Corbet and Best Actor for Adrien Brody. Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her role in the Brooklyn tragicomedy Anora. The Brutalist had nine BAFTA nominations including Best Director and Best Actor.
Despite facing backlash, Jacques Audiard’s genre-blending musical crime drama Emilia Pérez continued its awards momentum by winning Best Film Not in the English Language. Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for her role as a lawyer assisting the titular transgender ex-cartel boss in her transition. In her speech, she called the film “the creative challenge of a lifetime.”
While Emilia Pérez had 11 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Audiard, its awards campaign faced challenges due to lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón’s past controversial social media posts. The actor, who plays the titular transgender character, was absent from the ceremony, having withdrawn from promoting the film after backlash over her comments about Muslims, George Floyd, and diversity at the Oscars.
Audiard addressed the controversy in his speech, condemning Gascón’s remarks but still acknowledging her contribution to the film. "I am deeply proud of what we have all achieved together," he said while thanking Gascón, Saldaña, and co-star Selena Gomez.
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