In the fascinating world of film award ceremonies, we all know about the Oscars, as flashy as a disco ball, and the César Awards, a tad moody and very Parisian, but there is also the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), the British version which combines style, stiff upper lip and irreverence (we’re thinking, maybe, of Ricky Gervais).
Let’s have a quick look at the EE BAFTA Film Awards which took place on 16 February, where Taittinger champagne was served to toast the celebrations as the Official Champagne Partner to BAFTA.
BRITISH ELEGANCE SERVING CINEMA
Every year since 1947, London has rolled out the red carpet for cinema, before adding in Awards for Television and more recently for Games. A world-famous independent arts charity, the organisation was founded shortly after the Second World War, the brain-child of film director Sir David Lean (to whom we owe the epic Lawrence of Arabia from 1962) in order to celebrate British prowess in the cinema.
The ceremony grew over the decades, opening up to foreign productions and becoming a must-attend event on the international scene, although it soon stood out for its typically British spirit: sharp speeches, legendary irreverence and a soft spot for off-the-wall comedies.
Nowadays, the EE BAFTA Film Awards are a key date in the awards season – in fact, the ceremony is often considered the warm-up for the Oscars; the difference being that here, great blockbuster dramas are revered as much as independent films shot in a backyard in Manchester or a garage in Yorkshire.
“BAFTA’s mission as a charity is to champion the creative and cultural importance of the screen arts across film, games and television.
Without the support of our generous partners, it would be near impossible to achieve this each year. The longevity of our relationship speaks to Champagne Taittinger’s true commitment in supporting arts, culture and the screen arts industries and we are proud to count them in our roster of Official Partners ” says Kathryn Thomas, Head of Partnerships at BAFTA.
THREE ESSENTIAL FORMULAS
Royal emotions, a spy in the midst of an existential crisis or a crazy creature who reinvents freedom: here’s the proof, three times over, that our neighbours across the Channel know how to tell a story like no one else. Three essential formulas, three award-winning films.
- The King’s Speech by Tom Hooper (2010).
A product of British cinema through and through, awarded seven BAFTAs, this historical drama is a master class in eloquence and emotion. Colin Firth was at his best in the role of King George VI, forced to overcome his stutter to deliver a crucial speech on the eve of the Second World War. - Skyfall by Sam Mendes (2012)
Here was the James Bond who changed everything. Two BAFTAs and phenomenal success at the box office. Directed by Sam Mendes, this instalment marked a turning point in the franchise: darker, more intimate, with a more tormented Daniel Craig, far from the cliché of the invincible spy, and an astonishing Judi Dench. - Poor Things by Yorgos Lanthimos (2024)
Someone had to dare do it and that someone was Yorgos Lanthimos: a radical fable, a sort of crazy re-telling of the Frankenstein myth, in which Emma Stone delivers an outstanding performance. And the result? A BAFTA for Best Actress for her and a success that reminds us how ingenious the british weirdo is.
“Taittinger has been the toast of so many unique moments with BAFTA for over 20 years”, says Deborah Zbinden, Senior Consumer Marketing Manager at Hatch Mansfield (Taittinger’s UK agent).
“The excitement of having so many talented and creative guests enjoying Taittinger throughout the year-round calendar of BAFTA Awards never wears off, it’s a very special partnership.”
THE 2025 BAFTAS
This year, the EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony took place on Sunday 16 February at the Royal Festival Hall in London, hosted by the charismatic David Tennant. Nominations were announced in January 2025, highlighting films such as Conclave, a thriller set in the Vatican directed by Edward Berger, The Brutalist, for which Adrien Brody won the leading Actor award, as well as The Substance, Wickedand so on.
The next meeting is scheduled for May. It will then be the turn of television with the BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises. Whether it’s about great film, television, games or unforgettable performances, the BAFTAs are a barometer for talent and creativity in the global audiovisual industry.
