Indian Film Boong Bags BAFTA 2026 Honour, Beats Zootopia 2, Arco And Lilo & Stich In Children’s Category

The Manipuri-language film Boong, backed by Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures, secured a major international honour after winning the Best Children's & Family Film trophy at the 79th British Academy Film Awards held on Sunday.

The film triumphed over global titles including Zootopia 2, Arco and Lilo & Stich, marking a notable moment for Indian regional cinema on the international stage.

Award Presented In London

Director Lakshmipriya Devi accepted the honour alongside producers Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar and Alan McAlex during the ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

The recognition highlights the growing reach of regional Indian storytelling at global film events, with Boong becoming one of the rare Manipuri films to achieve such international acclaim.

Film, Cast And Festival Journey

The film features Gugun Kipgen, Bala Hijam Ningthoujam and Angom Sanamatum in key roles. It first premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and later travelled across several global platforms, including the Warsaw International Film Festival 2024, MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024, the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025.

According to the makers, Boong "revolves around a little boy who plans to surprise his mother with a special gift. He believes that bringing his absentee father back home would be the most meaningful present. The search for his father disintegrates his world but culminates in an unexpected gift."

Complete Winners List At BAFTA 2026

Here is the full list of winners from the 79th British Academy Film Awards:

• Best Film - One Battle After Another
• Outstanding British Film - Hamnet
• Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer - My Father's Shadow
• Best Film Not in the English Language - Sentimental Value
• Best Documentary - Mr. Nobody Against Putin
• Best Animated Film - Zootopia 2
• Best Children's & Family Film - Boong
• Best Director - Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)
• Best Original Screenplay - Sinners
• Best Adapted Screenplay - One Battle After Another
• Best Leading Actress - Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)
• Best Leading Actor - Robert Aramayo (I Swear)
• Best Supporting Actress - Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners)
• Best Supporting Actor - Sean Penn (One Battle After Another)
• Best Casting - I Swear
• Best Cinematography - One Battle After Another
• Best Editing - One Battle After Another
• Best Costume Design - Frankenstein
• Best Makeup & Hair - Frankenstein
• Best Original Score - Sinners
• Best Production Design - Frankenstein
• Best Sound - F1
• Best Special Visual Effects - Avatar: Fire and Ash
• Best British Short Animation - Two Black Boys in Paradise
• Best British Short Film - This Is Endometriosis
• EE Rising Star Award - Robert Aramayo

With its BAFTA victory, Boong has further strengthened its reputation after a successful festival run and has placed Manipuri cinema in the global spotlight.