Director-writer Ryan Coogler has etched his name into the history books at the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Awards following a landmark victory. Coogler took home the prize for Original Screenplay for Sinners, making him the first writer of colour to win in this specific category.
As Coogler accepted the BAFTA award for Original Screenplay for his film Sinners, his achievement was marked by a standing ovation and thunderous applause, as reported by Variety.
While speaking about his win, Coogler admitted the achievement caught him off guard. Taking the stage to an enthusiastic reception, he said, “I didn’t expect that. This is nerve-wracking.”
While crediting his roots for his success, he added, “I come from a community that loves me. They made me believe that I could do this, that I could be a writer. And it was amazing to be accepted into the community of film actors, the community of Los Angeles.”
“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. I’ll be forever grateful for this, thank you all,” he added.
Coogler won against strong names in the category, including I Swear, Marty Supreme, The Secret Agent, and Sentimental Value. Apart from Sinners, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another won five awards at BAFTA 2026. The film featuring Leonardo DiCaprio won awards for directing, adapted screenplay, cinematography and editing, as well as for Sean Penn’s supporting performance as an obsessed military officer.
Director Lakshmipriya Devi’s Boong represented India at BAFTA 2026. The film won Best Children’s and Family Film
category. It was nominated alongside films such as Ugo Bienvenu’s French animated science fiction film Arco, Dean Fleischer Camp’s live-action animated comedy from Hollywood, Lilo & Stitch, besides Jared Bush and Byron Howard’s Hollywood animated comedy, Zootropolis 2, also known as Zootopia 2 in some markets.
The BAFTA win has significantly boosted Coogler’s momentum as the Oscars approach. He is set for a high-stakes rematch at the Academy Awards, where he will once again compete against Marty Supreme and Sentimental Value, as well as Blue Moon and It Was Just an Accident.
In the history of the Academy Awards, Jordan Peele stands as the only writer of colour to take home the Oscar for Original Screenplay for his work on Get Out. Much like the movie, Peele’s milestone achievement was rooted in the horror genre, creating a significant link between these two filmmakers.
The Academy Awards will premiere on March 16, 2026, at 4:30 am IST (Indian Standard Time).
