BAFTA 2025: Conclave Beats Out The Brutalist And Anora, Wins Best Film, Moving Speech By Director

The official BAFTA YouTube channel just recently uploaded the award acceptance speech by Director Edward Berger for his 2024 political thriller film 'Conclave'. The film won the 'Best Film' award at the BAFTA 2025 ceremony, as well as three other awards, making it tied with The Brutalist for the most awards earned during the British Academy Film Awards for this year. The full acceptance speech can be watched below.

During the acceptance speech, Director Edward Berger was seen holding onto Producer Tessa Ross' hand as he expressed his gratitude for the team behind the film, as well as the incredible journey that led to the creation of the film.

"First of all, about seven years ago I got my hands on a script written by Peter Straughan and I loved it so much, and I started reading everything he wrote," said Edward Berger. "And I'd never read anything as full of soul as he had written. Suddenly, Tessa calls and says 'I've got the script by Peter Straughan'. You might imagine how I felt. So thank you Peter for gifting us your wonderful script. You are a wonderful man and a beautiful writer."

"Also Ralph, Isabella and the rest of the ensemble, thank you," continued Berger as he expressed his gratitude. "What you did to me on set when I watched you was pure magic. It was beyond my grasp or understanding. Thank you for letting us stand on your shoulders. We would never be here without you."

Producer Tessa Ross also gave a short speech, expressing how wonderful of an experience it was to work with Director Edward Berger and how thankful she was for the team behind the film as well as the audience for the film.

'Conclave' not only won the 'Best Film' award at BAFTA 2025, but it won in four total categories. The other three categories were 'Outstanding British Film', 'Adapted Screenplay', and 'Editing'.