The 7 most memorable moments from the BAFTAs, from Zoe Saldaña to Mikey Madison – The Associated Press
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“Conclave” is named best picture, while Adrien Brody, Mickey Madison, Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin take acting prizes at the BAFTA Film Awards in London. (Feb. 16)
Speaking on the red carpet at London’s BAFTA Film Awards, “A Real Pain” writer and director Jesse Eisenberg explains why he won’t be attending the Oscars with his co-star Kieran Culkin. (Feb. 16)
Speaking at the BAFTA Film Awards in London, Oscar-nominated “Anora” star Mikey Madison reveals how she is coping with life in the limelight. (Feb. 16)
Warwick Davis poses with the BAFTA fellowship award at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
David Tennant poses for photographers upon arrival at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Jesse Eisenberg poses with the best supporting actor award he received on behalf of Kieran Culkin for “A Real Pain” at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Mikey Madison poses with the leading actress award for ‘Anora’ at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Mikey Madison poses with the leading actress award for ‘Anora’ at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Zoe Saldana, winner of the supporting actress award for ‘Emilia Perez’, poses at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Selena Gomez poses for photographers upon arrival at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Jeff Goldblum poses for photographers upon arrival at the 78th British Academy Film Awards, BAFTA’s, in London, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (Photo by Alberto Pezzali/Invision/AP)
The British Academy Film Awards, or BAFTAs, have given audiences some great moments in recent years. Remember Ariana DeBose’s “Angela Basset did the thing,” that awkward performance that had a joyful second life as a joke? Or Ryan Gosling’s wink at Emma Stone last year that had internet shippers in a tizzy?
The worst part is that for some parts of the world, including the U.S., they’re also not the easiest to watch — or at least a little harder than just turning on ABC (and soon Hulu) to watch the Oscars.
The Associated Press is here to help those without a BritBox subscription with a rundown of the best and most memorable moments of the night, where “Anora” did not sweep (though Mikey Madison did triumph over best actress front-runner Demi Moore), “Conclave” won big and “Emilia Pérez” proved it’s still a contender.
Host David Tennant got the ceremony off to an amusing start with a pre-recorded bit where various actors give him a little pep talk, appearing in his dressing room mirror — including fellow Scot Brian Cox, who kicked off a rousing rendition of The Proclaimers song “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” Tennant took over and brought the anthem into the room, where Selena Gomez seemed genuinely surprised when he tapped her shoulder and inserted her name into the song. There were the celebrity participants of course, James McAvoy, Camila Cabello and Colman Domingo among them. But even some not “in the show” sang along happily as well, Saoirse Ronan and Jack Lowden included. Others, like Adrien Brody and Demi Moore, did not seem to be part of the chorus.
No presenter wants a John Travolta “Adele Dazeem” moment or, worse, a Faye Dunaway “La La Land” flap, and you could see the wheels turning in Gomez’s head as she looked at the card for the debut by a British writer, director or producer award. “I don’t know how to say,” she said quietly from stage, looking at her co-star and co-presenter, Zoe Saldaña, before looking further down on the card. “Oh, ‘Kneecap,’” she said, quietly adding, “Rich” and simply avoiding the writer-director’s last name, Peppiatt.
Jesse Eisenberg started off his best screenplay win for “A Real Pain” with some signature, self-deprecating jokes about how neither he, his wife nor the person who sat him thought he was going to win. The audience laughed loudly when he said that’s why his wife didn’t attend the ceremony. But he quickly turned sincere, offering a touching tribute to his wife, Anna Strout, whom he credited with helping him learn about the world around him. “You’ve put every worthwhile thought into my head over the last 20 years,” Eisenberg said. “I love you so much.”
Zoe Saldaña, winner of the supporting actress award for ‘Emilia Perez’ (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Perhaps Saldaña was feeling the pressure of “Emilia Pérez’s” diminished Oscar dreams two days before voting closes. Or maybe she was just really overwhelmed to win the best supporting actress BAFTA. R
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