The flashing bulbs of the red carpet. The nervous energy backstage. The unrestrained euphoria of the winners’ circle. For one magical evening, the Baftas transport us to a realm of glamour, artistry, and raw human emotion – and The Guardian was there to capture it all.
Our photographers enjoyed unparalleled access to the 2025 Baftas, held at London’s majestic Royal Festival Hall on February 16th. From the red carpet walk to the giddy post-show celebrations, these stunning images provide an intimate window into a world rarely seen – the unguarded moments between the world’s biggest stars on British cinema’s most illustrious night.
Exclusive Backstage Access
While the televised ceremony dazzles with its sleek production, it’s often the stolen moments backstage that prove most revealing. Our privileged vantage point captures the nerves, the camaraderie, and the sheer unbridled joy of the evening’s nominees and winners:
- A pensive Ralph Fiennes awaits the Best Picture announcement, then erupts in joy with the Conclave cast and crew upon claiming the top prize
- Mikey Madison calls her mother, tears streaming, to share that she’s won the coveted Best Actress trophy for Anora
- An elated Zoe Saldaña is overcome with emotion delivering her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress
- Colman Domingo, Saldaña and Adam Pearson share a surreal lift ride, reveling in the emotionally charged evening
These are the human stories behind the headlines, the unvarnished reality that transforms larger-than-life celebrities into relatable people basking in career-defining triumphs. To witness these moments is to feel a part of them.
Presenting a Living Archive
These photos don’t merely capture a moment in time – they curate a living, breathing archive of film history being made in real time. Imagine the legendary Bafta moments etched in our collective memory:
Rising star James McAvoy bounding to the stage in 2006, the WORLD at his feet. Kate Winslet, radiant in 2009, Best Actress winner at long last.
– Adam Pearson, disability advocate and Conclave supporting actor
To that storied visual record we now add Warwick Davis, beaming as he receives Bafta’s highest accolade, the Fellowship. Gwendoline Christie and Naomi Ackie, resplendent backstage, two queens of the screen redefining stardom on their own terms. And of course, Davis linking arms with James McAvoy and Letitia Wright, three generations of Bafta Rising Star winners shining as one.
Fashion Takes Center Stage
The red carpet is ALWAYS a character in its own right at the Baftas, a cavalcade of daring ensembles and fashion statements that light up the chilly February evening. This year was certainly no exception:
- Saoirse Ronan, a vision in cascading emerald, drawing audible gasps as she stepped to the flashbulbs
- Cynthia Erivo’s sculptural neon gown pushing the boundaries of awards show fashion
- Selena Gomez understated and elegant in shimmering gunmetal, offset by stunning diamond accents
Yet it was Best Supporting Actor nominee Colman Domingo who stole the sartorial show in an electric blue brocade tuxedo, adorned with intricate beadwork that demanded closer inspection. The fashion press will be dissecting these looks for weeks to come.
A Toast to Triumphs
After the final trophy is claimed, the real party begins. Our cameras gained exclusive access inside the most sought-after soirees of the season:
- At the Conclave bash, Ralph Fiennes and Isabella Rossellini savored their Best Picture win alongside a jubilant cast and crew
- Netflix’s post-show celebration saw Timothée Chalamet, Kendall Jenner, and Ed Norton deep in animated conversation in a secluded VIP corner
- Amazon spared no expense feting their nominees, with James Norton, Thomasin McKenzie, James McAvoy, and Lisa Liberati shutting the dance floor DOWN in the wee hours
As the champagne flowed and the revelers danced until dawn, one thing became crystal clear: the Baftas are so much more than an awards show. They’re a sacred celebration of the storytellers shaping our culture – and this year’s edition proved one for the ages.
Memories to Last a Lifetime
In the final assessment, the true magic of our exclusive Bafta photographs lies in the spontaneous, unfiltered humanity they capture. The laughter, the tears, the unrestrained exuberance and the quiet reflection – this is the essence of the creative spirit, distilled down to its most potent and authentic form.
To gaze upon these images is to understand, if only for a fleeting heartbeat, what it must feel like to experience a moment of artistic triumph, to know the adoration of your peers, and to etch your name that much deeper into the annals of cinematic lore. It is an immense privilege for us to share these indelible memories with you.
