Stars Shine Bright at the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards
London’s iconic Royal Festival Hall was abuzz with excitement on Sunday evening as the crème de la crème of the cinematic world gathered for the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards. Amidst the glamour and anticipation, actress Erin Doherty, known for her role in Adolescence, captivated onlookers as she graced the red carpet. The 33-year-old star donned a striking navy gown, a creation that featured a daring plunging neckline that cascaded into a voluminous, dramatic skirt. Complementing the show-stopping dress, Doherty opted for classic black pointed heels and elegant silver jewellery from the esteemed house of Chaumet. While not nominated for an award herself this year, Doherty was slated to present a gong alongside fellow talented actresses Olivia Cooke and Aimee Lou Wood, adding to the evening’s star-studded presenter lineup.
The Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall provided a magnificent backdrop for the convergence of contemporary cinema’s finest. Hosted by the charismatic Alan Cumming, the ceremony promised to honour the year’s most significant cinematic achievements, drawing a constellation of talent. Attendees and presenters included celebrated names such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi, and Michael B. Jordan, all set to acknowledge the outstanding contributions to film over the past year.
The red carpet experience was further elevated by a DJ set from Magic FM’s Neev Spencer, setting a vibrant tone for the evening. Meanwhile, Clara Amfo and Ali Plumb were on hand, providing live coverage and capturing the electrifying atmosphere from outside the renowned London venue.
A Stellar Lineup of Presenters and Performers
The list of guest presenters was a testament to the enduring appeal of the film industry. Esteemed figures such as Alicia Vikander, Cillian Murphy, Ethan Hawke, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Sadie Sink, and the acclaimed British grime artist Stormzy were all set to take to the stage. Adding further star power, Kerry Washington, Minnie Driver, Monica Bellucci, Patrick Dempsey, and Regé-Jean Page were also confirmed to make appearances, promising a night filled with memorable moments.
The entertainment for the evening was as diverse as the films being celebrated. Audiences were treated to a groundbreaking performance by KPop sensation Demon Hunters, who delivered a rendition of their record-breaking track “Golden” outside the United States for the first time. The powerful vocals of JAE, AUDREYNUNA, and REI AMI, the voices behind HUNTR/X, brought the track to life. In a poignant tribute during the In Memoriam segment, British singer Jessie Ware was set to perform a moving cover of a Barbara Streisand classic, honouring those lost to the industry.
Honoured for Outstanding Contributions
This year’s ceremony also recognised exceptional talent and dedication beyond competitive awards. Dame Donna Langley, Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, was bestowed with the prestigious BAFTA Fellowship, the highest honour the arts charity bestows. Her remarkable career and influence as a respected figure in the entertainment industry were celebrated.
Furthermore, Clare Binns, the Creative Director of Picture House Cinemas, received the BAFTA Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award. This accolade acknowledged her significant role in championing diverse and independent cinematic works, ensuring they reached audiences across the United Kingdom’s big screens.
Nominees Vie for Top Honours
The competition for this year’s awards was fierce, with several films leading the pack. Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest offering, One Battle After Another, emerged as a frontrunner, securing an impressive fourteen nominations. However, it faced formidable competition. The supernatural horror Sinners garnered thirteen nominations, while Chloé Zhao’s poignant drama Hamnet, which delves into the life of Shakespeare’s family and the death of his son, secured eleven nominations.
Hamnet‘s success was particularly noteworthy, as it broke the record for the most nominations for a female-directed film in BAFTA history. The film’s lead, Irish star Jessie Buckley, was nominated for her role, adding to her already impressive accolades, including a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award, alongside Academy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. Co-star Paul Mescal, who received a Supporting Actor BAFTA nod, was also a strong contender, hoping for recognition after a notable absence from Oscar nominations.
Marty Supreme and Timothée Chalamet were also in contention, aiming for a hat-trick of wins after securing eleven BAFTA nominations, including nods for Best Film and Best Actor. Their previous successes at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards positioned them as strong favourites.
Other films with significant nominations included Frankenstein and Sentimental Value, each receiving eight nods. I Swear and Bugonia garnered five nominations apiece, while The Ballad of Wallis Island, Pillion, and F1 each secured three nominations.
The race for Leading Actress was particularly exciting, 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, and Emma Stone for Bugonia. Leonardo DiCaprio was also in the running for his seventh BAFTA nomination, this time for Leading Actor in the critically acclaimed One Battle After Another, potentially marking his second BAFTA win.
The ceremony also welcomed a host of 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 new talent within the industry.
Emma Baehr, Executive Director of Awards and Content, expressed her delight at hosting the nominees in London, calling the EE BAFTA Film Awards a “vibrant celebration of the creativity, craft and collaboration that goes into British and global cinema.” She further emphasised the impressive lineup of presenters, representing the best of film and the wider creative industries, and anticipated 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 awards ceremonies and year-round initiatives, including masterclasses, scholarships, and mentoring schemes in both the UK and North America, BAFTA actively identifies and celebrates excellence, nurtures new talent, and fosters creative collaboration.
The 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony was broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK at 7pm, and on E! in North America at 8:00pm Eastern Time. International audiences also had access to the awards through various broadcasters worldwide.
