Brady Corbet Clinches Golden Globe Best Director Award, Defeating Payal Kapadia in a Historic Triumph |

The Golden Globes 2025 delivered a surprise in the Best Director category as Brady Corbet took home the coveted award for his film ‘The Brutalist‘, beating out Payal Kapadia, who was widely considered a strong contender for her critically acclaimed film ‘All We Imagine As Light‘.
Corbet’s win celebrates his ambitious postwar epic, which chronicles the journey of a Hungarian Jewish architect navigating survival and reinvention in post-Holocaust America. The filmmaker expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt acceptance speech, thanking his cast, crew, audiences and the Golden Globes for embracing the film.
Payal Kapadia, made history by becoming the first Indian filmmaker to be nominated for Best Director, and had been tipped by many to secure the award. Her film ‘All We Imagine As Light’ has been lauded for its poetic storytelling and emotional depth.
The Best Director category was one of the most competitive of the night, featuring heavyweights like Jacques Audiard (Emilia Perez), Sean Baker (Anora), and Edward Berger (Conclave). Corbet’s victory solidifies ‘The Brutalist’ as a standout this awards season and positions the film as a strong contender for the Academy Awards in March.

Kapadia’s ‘All We Imagine As Light’ also lost out on the Best Foreign Film award to ‘Emilia Perez’. As awards season progresses, her film is tipped to be a front runner, including the Oscars.