Conclave has claimed the top honors at this year’s BAFTA film awards, winning both Best Film and Outstanding British Film. Adapted from Robert Harris’s 2016 novel of the same name, the film, which focuses on the selection of a new pope, also secured awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing. In his acceptance speech, director Edward Berger expressed his gratitude to the ensemble cast, stating, “What you did to me on set when I watched you was pure magic, it was beyond my grasp or understanding.” This marks another BAFTA success for the German filmmaker, who previously won seven awards for his remake of All Quiet On The Western Front two years ago. Conclave is his first film in English.
Despite being the most nominated film of the evening, Conclave did not win any acting awards, with star Ralph Fiennes losing the Best Actor category to Adrien Brody for his role in The Brutalist. Brody’s portrayal of Hungarian architect Lazlo Toth earned him his first BAFTA statuette.
The three-and-a-half-hour epic, primarily set in America post-World War II, also won Best Director, Best Original Score, and Best Cinematography. Accepting the Best Director award, Brady Corbet expressed his humility and gratitude, stating that there is “no such thing” as the best director.
Both Conclave and The Brutalist emerged as joint winners of the night, each taking home four awards. Mikey Madison, the breakout star of Anora, which tells the story of a Brooklyn sex worker who marries into wealth, won the top prize, despite predictions favoring Demi Moore. In her acceptance speech, the 25-year-old actress honored the sex worker community, saying, “I see you. You deserve respect and human decency. I will always be a friend and an ally.” Anora also received the casting award.
