'All We Imagine As Light' falls short: Emilia Perez claims BAFTA glory

At the 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) 2025, cinematic triumphs and controversies took center stage as "Conclave" and "The Brutalist" emerged as the big winners, while "Emilia Pérez" nabbed two awards, despite the backlash surrounding its lead actress. India's "All We Imagine As Light" faced disappointment, losing out on the Best Film Not in the English Language award to the French musical crime drama, "Emilia Pérez".

"Emilia Pérez" Triumphs Amidst Controversy

Jacques Audiard's "Emilia Pérez" continued its awards season success by winning Best Film Not in the English Language, despite controversy surrounding lead star Karla Sofia Gascón's past social media posts, which were deemed Islamophobic and racist. Zoe Saldaña also took home the BAFTA for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in the film. Saldaña dedicated her win to her trans nephew, stating he was the reason she signed up for the film.

"All We Imagine As Light" Falls Short

Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine As Light," which follows two Malayali nurses in Mumbai, lost to "Emilia Pérez" in the Best Film Not in the English Language category. This marks the third time "Emilia Pérez" has bested "All We Imagine As Light" this awards season. Despite the loss, "All We Imagine As Light" made history as the first Indian film to win the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. It was also the first Indian film nominated for a BAFTA in this category in over a decade.

"Conclave" and "The Brutalist" Dominate

Edward Berger’s political thriller "Conclave," starring Ralph Fiennes, took home the coveted Best Film award, as well as Best British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing. Brady Corbet’s epic period drama "The Brutalist" also had a successful night, winning Best Director for Corbet and Best Actor for Adrien Brody.