The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) just wrapped up, and if there is one major takeaway from the night, it’s that Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is an absolute juggernaut. Not only did the highly anticipated thriller sweep the ceremony, but it completely rewrote the record books in the process.
Ryan Coogler took home the prize for Best Original Screenplay for Sinners, officially making him the first Black person to ever win the category in BAFTA history.
Coogler has been shaping culture and pushing cinematic boundaries for over a decade with films like Fruitvale Station, Creed, and the Black Panther franchise. However, winning for Original Screenplay highlights exactly what makes him such a force: his mastery of the pen. During his acceptance speech, Coogler offered an emotional look at what drives his writing process.
Ryan Coogler makes HISTORY yet again as he becomes the first ever Black director to win “Best Original Screenplay at the BAFTAs for his already-legendary film “Sinners” 🏆 pic.twitter.com/5ofTE1WKB8
— REVOLT (@revolttv) February 23, 2026
“I hope that for all the writers out there, when you look at that blank page, think of who you love,” Coogler shared. “Think of anybody who you see in pain that you identify with and wish they felt better. And let that love motivate you like it did on this.”
He credited his hometown and support system for giving him the confidence to pursue this path, stating, “I come from a community that loves me, spoke a lot of power into me, a lot of pride into me… They made me believe that I could do this, that I could be a writer.”
As if Coogler’s personal milestone wasn’t enough, the film itself pulled off a historic sweep. Sinners officially became the most awarded film by a Black director in the history of the BAFTAs, surpassing the previous record of two wins held by Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave.
Out of its record-breaking 13 nominations, the vampire thriller took home three major trophies: Best Original Score, Ludwig Göransson; Best Original Screenplay, Coogler; and Best Supporting Actress: Wunmi Mosaku.
Ryan Coogler expresses his gratitude after winning Best Original Screenplay for #Sinners at the #BAFTAs.
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) February 22, 2026
‘Sinners’ has made history at the BAFTA Film Awards 2026, becoming the most decorated movie by a Black director after pic.twitter.com/7Eg6eFrWMx
After the ceremony, Coogler reflected on the win with a deep sense of humility, even accepting the Best Score award on behalf of Göransson.
“I just loved everybody that made this movie. I thank God every day for that… the opportunity to be a working filmmaker,” he told reporters. “And I thank God for this crew.”
This historic night across the pond sets a massive precedent. When a film dominates the BAFTAs to this degree, it completely changes the temperature of awards season. Sinners has transitioned from being a highly praised film to an undeniable cultural and critical phenomenon.
For Coogler, this BAFTA win is cementing his legacy not just as a great modern filmmaker, but as an all-time great. As the industry looks ahead to the rest of the season, one thing is certain: Sinners is the film to beat, and Ryan Coogler is finally getting his long-overdue flowers on the global stage.
