BAFTA Awards 2025: ‘All We Imagine As Light’ Loses Best Film Not in English Language to ‘Emilia Perez’

All We Imagine As Light’: All We Imagine As Light, the highly praised Indian drama, failed to become Best Film Not in the English Language winner at the BAFTA Awards 2025 to Emilia Pérez, a bold crime musical thriller by Jacques Audiard. Audiences as well as critics reacted in complete shock when the unexpected winner emerged yet viewers sought to know which aspect turned the tables. An analysis of the dramatic political and artistic elements that created such impressive acclaim for this memorable upset.

🎬 Why Did ‘Emilia Pérez’ Steal the Spotlight?

Emilia Pérez, starring Zoe Saldaña in a career-defining dual role, merged explosive social commentary (think gender identity and cartel corruption) with dazzling song-and-dance sequences. BAFTA voters reportedly praised its “audacious originality” and “timely resonance,” especially its focus on Latin American LGBTQ+ struggles. Meanwhile, All We Imagine As Light—a poetic exploration of female connection in Mumbai—was deemed “subtle but less urgent” by insiders.

Key Stats:

• Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Emilia Pérez (97% critics, 89% audience) vs. All We Imagine (93% critics, 85% audience).
• Awards Momentum: Both Emilia Pérez won top honours at Queer Palm and Best Screenplay at Cannes 2024 and then BAFTA before the Locarno prize for All We Imagine Best Director. .

🗣️ Expert Opinions: The Split Verdict

Film reviewer Alisha Kapoor (from BBC Culture) once noted, “Emilia Pérez’s victory is BAFTA’s move toward award-winning ‘disruptive storytelling.’ It’s bold, political and impossible to ignore-it is completely the opposite of what All We Imagine brings, which is quiet introspection.”The audience gave Director Payal Kapadia from All We Imagine a standing ovation during the event while The Guardian described her film as “a masterclass in minimalist storytelling.”

🌍 The Bigger Picture: BAFTA’s Global Shift

The 2025 BAFTA shortlist showcased non-European films to the highest extent possible through Nigerian and Mexican and South Korean entries. The diversity transformation of 2023 instigated new voting system changes that extended ballot ballots and forced essential categories to achieve at least 45% female involvement.

Did You Know?

• In 2025 BAFTA plans to have sixty percent of their “Best Film Not in English” voting members as first-timers from Global South regions.
• The Best Film Not in English category at BAFTA has been claimed for the first time by the Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez.

💬 Join the Debate: Was BAFTA Right?

Social media exploded with takes:

• The victory of Emilia Pérez at BAFTA stands as a major achievement for Latin queer cinema according to FilmFanatic (@FilmFanatic).
• “BAFTA prioritized ‘message’ over artistry. CinephileRaj declared on their account “All We Imagine was robbed” regarding the win.

Viral Moment: Saldaña gained 2M viewers within the first 3 hours when delivering her heartfelt message that stated “This is for every trans sister fighting to be seen.

🚀 Final Takeaway: What This Means for Global Cinema

The win by Emilia Pérez stands as a sign that people want narratives which unite artistic achievement with social activism but All We Imagine works best as a festival showstopper. Watch the films now on streaming services for an insight into which one you like best.

📲 Share Your Thoughts!
Did BAFTA get it right? Tag #BAFTA2025Drama and let’s debate! For more award insights, follow @yashtips.com.