The 2026 BAFTA Awards will be remembered for two things: a groundbreaking victory for Black cinema with Sinners and a live television moment that became an essential lesson in empathy. From record-breaking wins to a social media firestorm, here’s everything that went down at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
A Night of Firsts: Sinners Makes History
Ryan Coogler’s vampire film Sinners didn’t just win; it dominated. By taking home three major awards, it officially became the most-decorated film by a Black director in BAFTA history.
Ryan Coogler made history as the first Black writer ever to win the award for Best Original Screenplay. In a moving speech, he encouraged creators to let “love motivate” them when facing a blank page.
“For all the writers out there, when y’all look at that blank page, think of who you love, think of anybody who you’ve seen in pain that you identify with and wish they felt better and let that love motivate you,” he said. “I’ll be forever grateful for this, thank you all.”
Wunmi Mosaku took home the Best Supporting Actress trophy for her powerhouse performance, marking a rare and celebrated win for the horror genre. And long-time collaborator Ludwig Göransson secured the film’s third win of the night for the Score.
The Incident: Outbursts and “I Swear”
While the awards were being handed out, viewers on social media began noticing several vocal outbursts in the background of the broadcast. The comments ranged from “boring” and “f**k off” to a deeply jarring moment when a racial slur (the “N” word) was heard while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting Best Visual Effects to Avatar: Fire and Ash.
The source of the outbursts was John Davidson, a legendary Tourette syndrome campaigner and the real-life inspiration behind the film I Swear. Davidson was in attendance to support the film and its lead, Robert Aramayo, who won Best Actor for portraying him.
Alan Cumming: A Masterclass in Grace
As the confusion grew online, event host Alan Cumming stepped in twice to address the situation with clarity and compassion:
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background. This can be part of how Tourette’s syndrome shows up for some people as the film explores that experience. Thanks for your understanding and helping create a respectful space for everyone.”
Later in the night, Cumming doubled down to ensure the message was clear:
“Tourette’s Syndrome is a disability and the tics you’ve heard tonight are involuntary… the person has no control over their language. We apologize if you are offended tonight.”
The Legacy of the Night
While the language was shocking to some, Davidson—and his involuntary tics—served as a visceral extension of the very movie being honored. I Swear wasn’t just a film on a screen; its reality was present in the room.
By the end of the night, the conversation shifted from “shock” to “awareness.” Between Coogler’s historic milestone and the live-action lesson in neurological diversity, the 2026 BAFTAs proved that cinema is at its best when it forces us to see—and hear—the world differently.
A Proven Winner
Sinners has been a massive hit with critics and fans alike. As of late February 2026, here is the breakdown of its major wins and nominations:
The Academy Awards (Oscars) 2026
Nominations: 16 (A new record for the most nominations ever received by a single film, surpassing Titanic and La La Land).
Major Categories: Best Picture, Best Director (Ryan Coogler), Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Supporting Actor (Delroy Lindo), Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku), and Original Screenplay.
The ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2026, so these wins are currently pending.
BAFTA Awards 2026
Nominations: 13 (The most ever for a film by a Black director).
Wins: 3
Best Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler – making him the first Black winner in this category).
Best Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku).
Original Score (Ludwig Göransson).
3. Golden Globes 2026
Nominations: 7
Wins: 2
Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson).
Best Original Song (“I Lied to You” by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson).
Other Major Awards
Critics’ Choice Awards: Led the field with 17 nominations and walked away with 4 major wins.
Astra Film Awards: Won Best Picture (Drama), Best Director (Ryan Coogler), and Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan).
Alliance of Women Film Journalists: Swept several categories, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor.
The Hype is Real
Sinners has made a major impact, not just on the Awards. The film left viewers moved and super impressed by both the story and the absolutely incredible performances.
In case you’ve been hiding a rock somewhere, the story sees Michael B. Jordan take on a challenging dual role. The story centers on twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, both played by Jordan. The brothers are seeking to escape their troubled pasts by returning to their hometown. However, their hopes for a new beginning are quickly shattered when they discover that a far greater evil awaits them, one eager to welcome them into its fold.
Alongside Jordan, the film stars Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit), Jack O’Connell (Ferrari), Wunmi Mosaku (Passenger), and Jayme Lawson (The Woman King). Omar Benson Miller (True Lies) and Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods) co-star, rounding out an impressive ensemble.
Watch Sinners, which I called “bloody brilliant” in my review, is now on HBO MAX. Stay tuned for more award news, including the Oscars on March 15, 2026.
