BAFTAs 2026: 'Boong' Wins Best Children’s and Family Film, Becomes First Indian Winner
Lakshmipriya Devi’s Manipuri drama, backed by Farhan Akhtar, makes history at the EE BAFTA Film Awards with an emotional acceptance speech calling for peace in Manipur.
The Manipuri film Boong has made history by winning Best Children’s and Family Film at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, becoming the first Indian film to claim the honour in the category. Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and backed by Farhan Akhtar, the film’s victory marks a significant milestone for Indian regional cinema on the global stage.
The award was presented during the ceremony by the fictional character Paddington Bear, who joked in his monologue, “I am the first-ever bear to present an award, and also the first presenter to get marmalade over a BAFTA.”
Boong was nominated alongside international titles including Arco, the live-action hybrid Lilo & Stitch, and Zootropolis 2 (also known as Zootopia 2 in some markets). Its win follows a strong festival run that began with its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Set in a Manipuri village, the film follows a young boy living with his single mother after the unexplained disappearance of his father, Joykumar. Determined to give his mother “the best gift ever”, the child sets out with a friend to search for his missing father. The emotional quest forms the core of the narrative, which has been widely praised for its sensitivity and cultural specificity.
In her acceptance speech, Devi reflected on the journey behind the film, saying, “To walk up till here felt like the last few steps to reach a summit of a mountain we never knew we were climbing in the first place.” She used the platform to highlight the ongoing unrest in Manipur, adding, “I just want to use this opportunity to say that we pray for peace to return to Manipur. We pray that all the internally displaced children, including the child actors in the film, regain their joy, their innocence, and their dream once again.”
Calling the film “a homage to my homeland,” she noted that Manipur remains “very much ignored and very unrepresented in India.”
Produced by Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures, Boong was also selected as the Spotlight Film at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025. On 18th February The Honours by The Hollywood Reporter India celebrated Lakshmipriya Devi for Boong.
Indian representation at the BAFTAs also included Alia Bhatt, who attended as one of the evening’s presenters.