Eight backstage highlights from the Bafta Film Awards

The Bafta Film Awards is one of the most important nights in the British film industry, and this year, it was filled with excitement and memorable moments. The big winners of the night were the films Conclave and The Brutalist, both of which took home four awards each. The ceremony was hosted by the talented David Tennant, who kicked off the event with a lively performance of The Proclaimers' hit song 500 Miles. He was joined by a star-studded lineup that included Selena Gomez, Colman Domingo, Anna Kendrick, Hugh Grant, and Camila Cabello, setting a joyful tone for the evening. The atmosphere was electric, and the audience was eager to see who would take home the prestigious awards. Backstage, the winners were in high spirits, even though some were feeling the effects of jet lag and hunger. Here are eight highlights from the winners' room that captured the essence of the night: 1. Mikey Madison, who won the Best Actress award for her role in Anora, admitted that she hadn’t prepared a speech. She humorously attributed this to advice she received from Robert De Niro during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show. 'I just wish that I’d had a better speech,' she said, expressing her gratitude for the recognition. Mikey was overwhelmed with joy, stating, 'I love making movies, and being an actress is my dream. ' 2. The directors of Wallace and Gromit, Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham, were thrilled to win Best Animated Film for Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. They brought their beloved characters to the ceremony and reflected on how their distinctly British humor is received in the US. Merlin noted, 'There are some jokes, like Anton Deck, which are very British. In the American screenings, there was complete silence apart from one Brit guffawing in the corner. ' Despite this, they were proud of their work and the unique charm it brings. 3. Jesse Eisenberg, who won for Best Original Screenplay for A Real Pain, walked into the winners' room with his Bafta and jokingly asked, 'Am I expected to hold this heavy thing the whole time? ' He shared that he has won awards in the UK and humorously remarked, 'I must be living in the wrong country. ' Jesse also discussed his relationship with co-star Kieran Culkin, saying, 'In terms of our dynamic, I’ll text him today and say, “Hey, you won the Bafta, I’m so proud of you. ”' 4. Zoe Saldaña, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Emilia Pérez, spoke about her experience performing in Spanish. She expressed the importance of connecting with her culture through her art, saying, 'It’s my first language, and my art has only lived in a very English way. ' 5. Warwick Davis received the Bafta Fellowship, the highest honor from the British Academy. He shared a funny story about how he found out he won while he was in the bathroom, initially thinking it might be a scam. 'I got all excited, and then it suddenly dawned on me, is this a fake email? ' he joked. 6. Adrien Brody, who won Best Actor, was feeling a bit hungry but was thrilled to be at the awards. He reflected on his career and the recent success of The Brutalist, saying, 'The beauty of being an actor is that any life experience is so valuable in shaping a sense of understanding. ' 7. Edward Berger, the director of Conclave, compared his cast to an orchestra, emphasizing the chemistry and collaboration among the actors. He expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received in the UK. 8. Brady Corbet, who won Best Director for The Brutalist, mentioned that he was too jet-lagged to fully process his win but was looking forward to returning to work. He shared that making the film was a labor of love that took years to complete. The Bafta Film Awards was a night filled with laughter, joy, and celebration, showcasing the incredible talent within the film industry.