05:00, 24 February 2026
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
The 79th EE British Academy Film Awards, formally the British Academy Film Awards, proved that powerful storytelling and social purpose can stand shoulder to shoulder with cinematic spectacle.
Held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on 22 February 2026, the ceremony celebrated films that didn’t merely entertain, but illuminated lived experience and championed empathy.
Full winners can be found on the official BAFTA site:
https://www.bafta.org/media-centre/press-releases/winners-announced-2026-film-awards
Among the evening’s most uplifting triumphs were two deeply human British stories: This Is Endometriosis and I Swear.
Through these films and many others that were nominated for awards, the BAFTAs championed something bigger than awards: the power of cinema to foster understanding, spark conversation and inspire change. Both of these films encapsulate the type of films we like to highlight through both Smiley News and the Smiley Charity Film Awards.
This Is Endometriosis took home the BAFTA for Best British Short Film, a remarkable moment for a documentary that places chronic pain and lived experience firmly at its centre.
Directed by Georgie Wileman and Matt Houghton, the film immerses viewers in the reality of endometriosis, a condition affecting one in ten women and those assigned female at birth, yet still widely misunderstood. Rather than observing from a distance, the film brings audiences into the emotional and physical landscape of the condition itself.
In interviews following its BAFTA win, the filmmakers described their mission as “refusing the polite distance often placed between the audience and women’s pain.”
You can read more about the film’s approach here.
Their win marked a turning moment for stories centred on women’s health, further emphasising that intimate, advocacy-driven filmmaking belongs on the industry’s biggest stage.
Where to watch:
Equally stirring was I Swear, a biographical drama telling the story of Scottish activist John Davidson and his life with Tourette’s syndrome.
The film’s emotional centrepiece performance from Robert Aramayo earned him Best Leading Actor, alongside the public-voted EE Rising Star Award. Accepting his award, Robert said:
“I absolutely can’t believe this… everyone in this category blows me away.”
Warm, funny and unflinchingly honest, I Swear challenges misconceptions around Tourette’s while celebrating resilience and humour in the face of stigma. Its advocacy woven seamlessly into mainstream cinema — and audiences responded in kind.
Where to watch:
Available to rent on a wide range of streaming platforms, find them here.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Endometriosis UK. This UK-based charity supports those affected by endometriosis through helplines, support groups and evidence-led advocacy, while campaigning for earlier diagnosis and better treatment across the NHS. Learn more here. https://www.endometriosis-uk.org
Tourettes Action. This national charity works to improve the lives of people living with Tourette’s syndrome by providing practical support, raising awareness and influencing policy to tackle stigma and misunderstanding. Discover their work here.
Doc Society. This global non-profit champions purpose-led documentary filmmaking, connecting storytellers with funders and partners to drive social change through film and immersive storytelling. Find out more here.
This positive news article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing, and Quality Education.