Black Excellence Shines at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards
The 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards delivered one of the most memorable nights in recent film history. Hosted by the charismatic Alan Cumming at London’s Royal Festival Hall, the ceremony celebrated global cinematic achievements while spotlighting an incredible wave of Black and African talent.
While Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominated the evening with six major wins, the night was equally defined by powerful milestones for Black creatives—particularly those connected to Nigeria’s growing influence in global cinema.
A Night of Black and African Excellence
The 79th BAFTA Awards will likely be remembered for what many are calling a “Nigerian Wave” that swept through the ceremony. From standout acting performances to groundbreaking directorial debuts, Black creators delivered some of the night’s most emotional and historic moments.
Wunmi Mosaku’s Powerful Win
Nigerian-British actress Wunmi Mosaku delivered one of the evening’s standout moments, winning Best Supporting Actress for her gripping performance in Sinners.
The win marks her second BAFTA Award, further solidifying her reputation as one of the most compelling talents working today. Her performance in the film has been widely praised for its emotional depth and intensity.
Akinola and Wale Davies Make History
Another historic moment came from filmmaking brothers Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies, who won Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for their film My Father’s Shadow.
Set during the tense political climate surrounding Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis, the film has already earned international acclaim. It previously made history as the first Nigerian production to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, and its BAFTA win further cements its global impact.
Ryan Coogler’s Record-Breaking Year
Filmmaker Ryan Coogler also had a landmark night with his genre-blending horror drama Sinners. Even before the ceremony began, the film had already made history by earning 13 nominations, the highest ever for a Black director at the BAFTAs.
Coogler ultimately took home Best Original Screenplay, highlighting his continued evolution as a storyteller capable of merging blockbuster scale with powerful thematic storytelling.
A Landmark Win in Animation
The award for British Short Animation went to Two Black Boys in Paradise, a deeply moving project that celebrates Black British storytelling through animation.
The win marked an important moment for representation in the animation space, showing that diverse narratives are increasingly being recognized within the medium.
Honoring a Trailblazer
One of the night’s most inspiring moments came when Dame Donna Langley received the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship.
As the first British woman to lead a major Hollywood studio, Langley has been instrumental in shaping the modern film landscape. During her acceptance speech, she spoke about the “superpower of decency” and emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for emerging and diverse voices in the industry.
A Defining Moment for Global Cinema
The 2026 BAFTAs will be remembered not only for the dominance of One Battle After Another, but also for the undeniable rise of Black and African storytelling on the global stage.
From powerful performances to groundbreaking films rooted in Nigerian history, the ceremony showcased a creative movement that continues to expand the boundaries of international cinema.
As the industry evolves, one thing is clear: the global influence of African and Black creatives is stronger than ever.
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