Baftas 2026: Your Complete Guide to the Star-Studded Ceremony
The champagne is chilling and predictions are locked in as the biggest night in British film returns with the 79th annual Baftas. Stars from across the globe are set to descend on London for this glittering celebration of cinematic excellence. From the host and nominees to viewing details and special performances, here is your essential guide to the 2026 Bafta Awards.
Ceremony Date, Time, and Venue
This year's Baftas will be held on Sunday, 22 February 2026, at the prestigious Royal Festival Hall within London's Southbank Centre. The event follows the traditional format, with the ceremony taking place earlier than the broadcast. The red carpet arrivals will commence on Sunday afternoon, offering fans a first glimpse of the glamour.
To watch the star-studded arrivals live, tune into Bafta's official YouTube channel. The red carpet stream, hosted by Clara Amfo and Ali Plumb, is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM GMT.
How to Watch the Baftas on Television
The awards ceremony itself will occur in the late afternoon, with the broadcast airing on BBC One at 7:00 PM GMT. Viewers wishing to avoid spoilers should steer clear of social media until after the broadcast. The televised event is planned to last approximately two hours, covering all the major awards and highlights.
Meet the Host: Alan Cumming
Taking over from David Tennant, who hosted in 2024 and 2025, is the acclaimed Scottish actor Alan Cumming. Cumming is no stranger to Bafta duties, having presented the TV Baftas last year. A prominent figure on both sides of the Atlantic, he also hosts the US version of The Traitors, so audiences can anticipate some witty references to the show during the ceremony.
Key Nominees and Front-Runners
A slew of critically acclaimed films from the past year are vying for awards. One Battle After Another leads with 14 nominations, closely followed by Sinners with 13. Marty Supreme and Hamnet each boast 11 shortlistings.
In the Best Actress category, Jessie Buckley is widely tipped to win for her role in Chloe Zhao's Hamnet, though she faces strong competition from Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I'd Kick You) and Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another).
For Best Actor, Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) is up against Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), and British rising star Robert Aramayo, who stars in the biographical drama I Swear.
Paul Thomas Anderson is the hot favourite for Best Director, with his film One Battle After Another also strongly favoured to win Best Film.
Special Awards and Presenters
Two special accolades will be presented. Dame Donna Langley, British chairman of NBCUniversal, will receive the Bafta Fellowship, the organisation's highest honour. Clare Binns, creative director of PictureHouse Cinema, will be awarded the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award for her work in promoting diverse and independent films.
The presenters list includes a delightful surprise: Paddington Bear, taking a break from the West End production Paddington The Musical, will present the Best Children's and Family Film prize. Other notable presenters feature a star-studded lineup including Alicia Vikander, Cillian Murphy, Gillian Anderson, Hannah Waddingham, Michael B. Jordan, and Stormzy, among many others.
Musical Performances
The ceremony will feature special musical acts. Jae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the voices of the group Huntr/X from the film KPop Demon Hunters, will perform their hit track "Golden" for the first time outside the US. Additionally, Jessie Ware will take to the stage to sing a Barbara Streisand cover during the In Memoriam tribute, honouring industry figures lost in the past year.
With a blend of Hollywood glamour, British talent, and unforgettable moments, the 2026 Baftas promise to be an unmissable event for film enthusiasts worldwide.
