The glitz and glamour of the British film industry are set to take centre stage once more with the highly anticipated 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards. This prestigious event, celebrating the pinnacle of both British and international filmmaking, will see a constellation of stars descend upon London’s Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. Renowned actors, directors, and industry luminaries will grace the red carpet, all vying for the coveted BAFTA mask trophy.
This year marks the 79th iteration of the awards ceremony, and anticipation is high for who will take home the coveted accolades. From established titans of Hollywood to rising stars, the nominees represent a diverse and compelling selection of cinematic achievements.
Tuning In: When and Where to Watch the BAFTAs
For those eager to witness the unfolding drama, the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards will be broadcast live on BBC One. The main event kicks off at 7pm and concludes at 9pm on Sunday, February 22nd.
In line with BAFTA tradition, the ceremony itself will have already taken place in the late afternoon. Therefore, to avoid any spoilers, it’s advisable to steer clear of social media channels in the hours leading up to the broadcast.
For viewers who wish to soak in the pre-ceremony buzz, the red carpet arrivals will be streamed live on BAFTA’s official YouTube channel. This exclusive coverage, hosted by Clara Amfo and Ali Plumb, will commence at 2:30pm, offering a front-row seat to the fashion and early arrivals.
A New Face at the Helm: Hosting Duties for 2026
Stepping into the hosting spotlight for this year’s ceremony is the acclaimed Scottish actor, Alan Cumming. He takes over the reins from last year’s hosts, Richard E. Grant and Alison Hammond, and David Tennant, who helmed the event in 2024 and 2025. This marks Cumming’s inaugural turn as the master of ceremonies for the film awards, though he is no stranger to the BAFTA stage, having previously hosted the television awards.
The 61-year-old Traitors presenter has expressed his vision for the evening, hinting at a hosting style that balances humour with a keen awareness of the world around us. He told the New York Times, “You’ve obviously got to be funny, you want to be a little biting, you want to not ignore what is happening in the world.” Cumming also acknowledged the often-anxiety-inducing themes present in many of this year’s nominated films, such as Hamnet, One Battle After Another, and Sentimental Value. Despite this, his overarching aim is to celebrate the power of cinematic creativity, stating, “That’s all it should be.”
Nominees Galore: A Look at the Contenders
This year’s nominations showcase a strong field of contenders, with several films leading the charge. The action thriller One Battle After Another has secured an impressive 14 nominations, making it a frontrunner in multiple categories. Hot on its heels is the Michael B. Jordan-directed horror film Sinners, which has garnered 13 nominations.
Close behind with 11 nominations each are Marty Supreme, widely tipped to secure a leading actor Oscar for its star Timothée Chalamet, and the Golden Globe-winning historical drama Hamnet.
Other notable films recognised across various categories include:
* Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein, nominated for cinematography.
* Wicked: For Good, vying for awards in hair, makeup, and costume design.
* Zootropolis 2, a strong contender in the animation category.
* 28 Years Later, recognised for its contribution as an outstanding British film.
In the acting categories, the competition is fierce. For leading actress, nominees include Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Chase Infiniti, and Renate Reinsve. However, Jessie Buckley, for her role in Hamnet, is considered a strong favourite.
The leading actor category features esteemed performers such as Ethan Hawke, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Robert Aramayo, but Timothée Chalamet is widely expected to clinch the award for Marty Supreme.
The best director award will see a formidable lineup of talent, with Yorgos Lanthimos (Bugonia), Chloé Zhao (Hamnet), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value), and Ryan Coogler (Sinners) all in contention.
Beyond the competitive categories, two special awards will be presented:
* The prestigious BAFTA Fellowship, the organisation’s highest honour, will be awarded to Dame Donna Langley, the British chairman of NBCUniversal.
* Clare Binns, Creative Director of PictureHouse Cinemas, will receive the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award in recognition of her significant role in championing diverse and independent films across the UK.
Star Power: Presenters and Performers
The BAFTA stage will be graced by an array of distinguished presenters, including Aimee Lou Wood, Bryan Cranston, Cillian Murphy, Gillian Anderson, Ethan Hawke, Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Stellan Skarsgård, Stormzy, and Warwick Davis. Adding a touch of beloved character, Paddington Bear is also slated to make an appearance.
Musical performances will be delivered by Jae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the talented voices behind the group Huntr/X in KPop Demon Hunters. They are set to perform the film’s hit song “Golden” for the first time outside of the US, before heading to the Brit Awards stage. The poignant In Memoriam segment will feature a special performance by Jessie Ware, who will perform a cover of a Barbara Streisand classic, honouring the industry figures lost over the past year.
Full List of BAFTA Nominations 2026
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the nominations across the key categories:
Best Film
* Hamnet
* Marty Supreme
* One Battle After Another
* Sentimental Value
* Sinners
Best Director
* Yorgos Lanthimos – Bugonia
* Chloé Zhao – Hamnet
* Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
* Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
* Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
* Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Best Actor
* Robert Aramayo – I Swear
* Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
* Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
* Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
* Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
* Jesse Plemons – Bugonia
Best Actress
* Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
* Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
* Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
* Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another
* Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value
* Emma Stone – Bugonia
Best Supporting Actor
* Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another
* Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
* Paul Mescal – Hamnet
* Peter Mullan – I Swear
* Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
* Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
Best Supporting Actress
* Odessa A’zion – Marty Supreme
* Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
* Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
* Carey Mulligan – The Ballad of Wallis Island
* Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
* Emily Watson – Hamnet
Casting
* I Swear
* Marty Supreme
* One Battle After Another
* Sentimental Value
* Sinners
Outstanding British Film
* 28 Years Later
* The Ballad of Wallis Island
* Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
* Die My Love
* H is for Hawk
* Hamnet
* I Swear
* Mr. Burton
* Pillion
* Steve
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer
* The Ceremony
* My Father’s Shadow
* Pillion
* A Want In Her
* Wasteman
Adapted Screenplay
* The Ballad of Wallis Island
* Bugonia
* Hamnet
* One Battle After Another
* Pillion
Original Screenplay
* I Swear
* Marty Supreme
* The Secret Agent
* Sentimental Value
* Sinners
Film Not in the English Language
* It Was Just An Accident
* The Secret Agent
* Sentimental Value
* Sirât
* The Voice of Hind Rajab
Documentary
* 2000 Meters to Andriivka
* Apocalypse in the Tropics
* Cover-Up
* Mr. Nobody Against Putin
* The Perfect Neighbor
Animated Film
* Elio
* Little Amelie
* Zootropolis 2
Children and Family Film
* Arco
* Boong
* Lilo & Stitch
* Zootropolis 2
Editing
* F1
* A House of Dynamite
* Marty Supreme
* One Battle After Another
* Sinners
Cinematography
* Frankenstein
* Marty Supreme
* One Battle After Another
* Sinners
* Train Dreams
Production Design
* Frankenstein
* Hamnet
* Marty Supreme
* One Battle After Another
* Sinners
Costume Design
* Frankenstein
* Hamnet
* Marty Supreme
* Sinners
* Wicked: For Good
Make Up and Hair
* Frankenstein
* Hamnet
* Marty Supreme
* Sinners
* Wicked: For Good
Original Score
* Bugonia
* Frankenstein
* Hamnet
* One Battle After Another
* Sinners
Sound
* F1
* Frankenstein
* One Battle After Another
* Sinners
* Warfare
Visual Effects
* Avatar: Fire and Ash
* F1
* Frankenstein
* How to Train Your Dragon
* The Lost Bus
British Short Film
* Magid / Zafar
* Nostalgie
* Terence
* This Is Endometriosis
* Welcome Home Freckles
Best Short Animation
* Cardboard
* Solstice
* Two Black Boys in Paradise
EE Rising Star Award
* Robert Aramayo
* Miles Caton
* Chase Infiniti
* Archie Madekwe
* Posy Sterling
The 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards promises to be an unforgettable evening celebrating the magic of cinema. Tune in to BBC One at 7pm on Sunday, February 22nd, to catch all the action.
