The Baftas’ Big Winners: Conclave and The Brutalist Steal the Spotlight
The 2025 Bafta film awards ceremony was a night to remember, with two films emerging as big winners: Pope drama Conclave and immigration epic The Brutalist. Both films took home four awards each, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
Conclave, directed by ‘Edward Berger’ , was the standout winner of the night. It picked up four awards, including best film and best British film – a feat last achieved in 2019 by war drama 1917. Conclave also won best adapted screenplay and best editing.
A conclave is a gathering of cardinals in the Catholic Church to elect a new pope.
The process begins with the death or resignation of the previous pope, triggering a period of mourning and preparation.
The cardinals then seal themselves away in the Sistine Chapel, where they cast ballots until a two-thirds majority is reached.
Historically, conclaves have been known to last from a few days to several weeks.
According to Vatican regulations, cardinals must be under 80 years old to participate in a conclave.
Edward Berger expressed his gratitude for the wins, stating that he felt ‘deeply moved’ to receive the award for best film. He also acknowledged the significance of winning outstanding British film, saying, ‘Best British and I’m not even from here, so I feel so welcome in your midst.‘
The Brutalist, was another major winner of the night. It won four awards, including best director for ‘Brady Corbet’ and best actor for Adrien Brody‘s portrayal of Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor László Tóth. The film also took home awards for best original score and cinematography.
Characterized by its use of raw concrete, exposed brick, and minimal ornamentation, the Brutalist style emerged in the 1950s as a reaction against ornate and decorative architecture.
The term 'Brutalist' comes from the French word 'brut,' meaning raw or unfinished.
This movement was influenced by Le Corbusier's idea of 'beton brut,' or raw concrete.
Brutalist buildings often feature imposing structures, fortress-like designs, and a focus on functionality over aesthetics.
Adrien Brody is an American actor born on April 14, 1973, in San Diego, California.
He began acting at a young age, studying drama at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Brody's breakthrough role came in 2002 when he played Daniel Plainview in 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' and then won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Władysław Szpilman in 'The Pianist.' He has since appeared in numerous films, including 'Predators', 'Midnight in Paris', and 'Peaky Blinders'.
Edrian Brody expressed his appreciation for the award, saying that ‘The Brutalist is really about the pursuit of leaving something meaningful.’ Brady Corbet was humbled by the win, stating that he was ‘humbled and very grateful.’
In addition to Conclave and The Brutalist, other notable winners included Mikey Madison (best actress for Anora), Kieran Culkin (best supporting actor for A Real Pain), and Zoe Saldaña (best supporting actress for Emilia Pérez).
Anora, a film about a New York stripper who has a whirlwind romance with the son of a Russian oligarch, was a surprise winner in the best actress category. ‘Mikey Madison’ expressed her gratitude for the award, saying that she wanted to ‘recognise the sex worker community’ and acknowledge their dignity and respect.
The Baftas followed a similar pattern to previous years, with no single film sweeping the board and several movies sharing the spoils. This was the third year in a row that no British stars won any of the four acting prizes at the most prestigious night in the British film calendar.
Films like A Complete Unknown, the Bob Dylan biopic starring ‘Timothée Chalamet’, Nosferatu, Blitz, Gladiator II, and The Apprentice had multiple nominations but lost out on the night.
