Stars Shine Bright at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards
The Royal Festival Hall on London’s Southbank was abuzz with excitement on Sunday evening as the crème de la crème of the film world gathered for the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards. With a dazzling array of nominees and presenters, the ceremony promised a spectacular celebration of cinematic excellence, honouring the year’s most outstanding releases.
Leading the pack with an astonishing fourteen nominations was the Hollywood blockbuster One Battle After Another. The film’s stars were out in full force, gracing the red carpet with their presence. Among them was Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio, 51, who cut a dashing figure in a classic black tuxedo, crisp white shirt, and a perfectly tied bow tie. DiCaprio, who has earned his seventh BAFTA nomination for his leading actor performance in One Battle After Another, could be on his way to securing his second BAFTA award.
He was joined by his talented co-stars Chase Infiniti and Teyana Taylor. Infiniti, 25, is nominated for Leading Actress and turned heads in a figure-hugging burgundy strapless gown featuring a peplum hem, complemented by elegant heeled pumps and striking drop earrings. Taylor, nominated for Supporting Actress, opted for a captivating brown wrap dress that cinched her waist and boasted a chic frilled collar, ensuring she stood out from the glamorous crowd.
The evening was hosted by Alan Cumming, who guided the audience through a night filled with glamour, anticipation, and heartfelt tributes. The star-studded guest list included renowned actors such as Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi, and Michael B. Jordan, all eager to celebrate the year’s biggest cinematic achievements.
The red carpet experience was further enhanced by a vibrant DJ set from Magic FM presenter Neev Spencer. Meanwhile, Clara Amfo and Ali Plumb provided live coverage from the iconic London venue, bringing the excitement directly to fans.
A Stellar Line-up of Presenters and Performers
The ceremony featured a distinguished roster of celebrity guest presenters, including Aimee Lou Wood, Alicia Vikander, Cillian Murphy, Ethan Hawke, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Sadie Sink, and the acclaimed British grime artist Stormzy. The stage also welcomed esteemed personalities like Kerry Washington, Minnie Driver, Monica Bellucci, Patrick Dempsey, and Regé-Jean Page, adding to the night’s star power.
Entertainment was a diverse and global affair. Audiences were treated to a groundbreaking performance by KPop group Demon Hunters, who delivered a rendition of their record-breaking track “Golden” outside the United States for the first time. The powerful vocals were delivered by JAE, AUDREYNUNA, and REI AMI, the voices behind HUNTR/X. Adding a touch of poignant reflection, British singer Jessie Ware performed a moving tribute with a cover of a Barbara Streisand classic during the In Memoriam segment.
Honouring Industry Excellence
The EE BAFTA Film Awards also took the opportunity to recognise significant contributions to the arts. Dame Donna Langley was bestowed with the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship, the highest honour awarded by the arts charity. As the British Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, Langley was celebrated for her extensive career and her standing as one of the most influential and respected figures in the entertainment industry.
Clare Binns, Creative Director of Picture House Cinemas, received the BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award. This accolade honours her crucial role in championing diverse and independent films on cinema screens across the United Kingdom.
Fierce Competition Across Key Categories
The night was marked by intense competition across numerous categories. One Battle After Another faced formidable rivals, including the supernatural horror Sinners, which garnered thirteen nominations, and Hamnet, Chloé Zhao’s poignant drama exploring the life and death of Shakespeare’s son, securing eleven nominations.
Hamnet, adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel, made history by achieving the most nominations for a female-directed film in BAFTA history. Irish star Jessie Buckley earned a nomination for her leading role in the film, adding to her already impressive accolades, including a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award, along with Academy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. Her co-star, Paul Mescal, who was notably overlooked for an Oscar nomination, was also in contention for a Supporting Actor BAFTA nod.
Marty Supreme and Timothée Chalamet were also in the running for multiple awards, having secured eleven BAFTA nominations, including Best Film and Best Actor. This follows their recent successes at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.
Other films receiving multiple nominations include:
* Frankenstein and Sentimental Value with eight nominations each.
* I Swear and Bugonia with five nominations apiece.
* The Ballad of Wallis Island, Pillion, and F1 each received three nominations.
The competition for Leading Actress was particularly strong, featuring:
* Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.
* Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue.
* Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another.
* Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value.
* Emma Stone for Bugonia.
The ceremony also welcomed several first-time BAFTA Film nominees, including Robert Aramayo, Odessa A’zion, Rose Byrne, Chase Infiniti, Michael B. Jordan, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Stellan Skarsgård, and Teyana Taylor, highlighting the emergence of fresh talent in the industry.
Emma Baehr, Executive Director of Awards and Content, expressed her delight, stating, “We are delighted to welcome so many of this year’s remarkable nominees to London for the EE BAFTA Film Awards, a vibrant celebration of the creativity, craft and collaboration that goes into British and global cinema. It’s especially exciting to have such an impressive lineup of presenters joining us on the night, representing the very best of film and the wider creative industries. This year’s ceremony is set to be an unforgettable occasion for audiences at home and in the room.”
BAFTA’s core mission as a charity is to champion the creative and cultural significance of screen arts across film, games, and television. Through its annual awards and a year-round programme of talent development initiatives, including masterclasses, scholarships, and mentoring schemes in the UK and North America, BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, nurtures emerging talent, and fosters creative collaboration.
The ceremony was broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK at 7pm, and on E! in North America at 8:00pm Eastern Time. International broadcasters also provided coverage to audiences worldwide.
