The 78th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), 2025 proved to be another night of disappointment for Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia. Her critically acclaimed film ‘All We Imagine As Light’ lost out in the Best Film Not in the English Language category to the French-Spanish drama ‘Emilia Perez’.

This marks the third major international award that Kapadia’s film has missed, following its losses at both the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards earlier this year.

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Despite the setback, the film continues to leave a lasting impact on global cinema. It made history as the first Indian movie to win the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, cementing its status as a remarkable achievement in Indian filmmaking.

Starring Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, ‘All We Imagine As Light’ tells an intimate and emotional story about a nurse and her younger roommate who navigate personal struggles and unspoken desires while on a trip to a beach town.

As expected, ‘Emilia Perez’, directed by renowned French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, emerged victorious in the Best Non-English Language Film category. However, the spotlight was not just on the win—it was Audiard’s acceptance speech that grabbed attention.

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Despite recent controversy surrounding lead actress Karla Sofia Gascón’s resurfaced tweets, Audiard made a point to acknowledge her contributions to the film. Gascón, who has been absent from the awards circuit following backlash over her past remarks about race and diversity, was notably missing from the ceremony.

“I want to thank all the incredible artists who brought this film to life,” Audiard said on stage. “My dear Zoe, my dear Selena, Giorgini, Paul, Juliet, Camille, Clement, Julia, and your team, but also you, my dear Karla Sofia, whom I kiss. I am deeply proud of what we achieved together. Long live ‘Emilia Perez’.”

While Gascón skipped the BAFTAs—as she had done at the Critics Choice, PGA, and Goya Awards—her co-stars Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña were present, both having been nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category. The two also took on presenting duties during the event.

The Karla Sofia Gascón controversy

The controversy surrounding Gascón stems from old tweets that recently resurfaced, sparking widespread criticism. Posts from 2020 and 2021 featured remarks on topics such as diversity at the Oscars, George Floyd, and the Muslim community. One particular tweet, in which she criticized the 2021 Oscars for its diverse representation, drew significant backlash.

In response to the outcry, Gascón issued a public apology through Variety, saying, “I want to acknowledge the conversation around my past social media posts that have caused hurt. As someone from a marginalized community, I understand this pain deeply and sincerely apologize to those I have offended. I have always fought for a better world and believe that light will always triumph over darkness.”

Where to watch the BAFTA 2025

For audiences in India, the BAFTA ceremony, including Audiard’s winning moment, was streamed on Lionsgate Play.