BAFTA Awards 2026 Prioritises Sustainability with Plant-Based Focus
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is once again championing environmental responsibility at its 2026 awards ceremony, with a strong emphasis on veganism and sustainable practices. This Sunday evening, Hollywood's elite will indulge in a menu that is largely plant-based, as part of BAFTA's ongoing commitment to minimising the event's ecological footprint. The ceremony, hosted by longtime vegan Alan Cumming, will also feature a notable animal rights collaboration with the charity PETA.
Vegan-Leaning Menu and Celebrity Host's Advocacy
While the menu does include some meat and dairy options, the majority of dishes are centred around seasonal vegetables. Guests will be treated to vegan canapes and starters, with a vegan main course available as an alternative. Additionally, one-third of the dessert selections are entirely plant-based. Ahead of the ceremony, attendees will encounter a giant billboard near the Royal Festival Hall, where Alan Cumming, aged 61, parodies Marlon Brando in The Wild One to promote vegan leather as part of his PETA campaign titled 'Rebel with a Cause'.
Detailed Culinary Offerings and Sustainable Catering
The evening's gastronomic experience, curated by premium caterer Caper & Berry, draws inspiration from the nostalgia of classic cinema intervals. The reception begins with snacks such as roasted maple pumpkin rolls, woodland mushroom toast with crispy sage, and Cornish sea salt crisp breads. A starter of celeriac and apple mille-feuille with chive oil and pumpkin follows. For the main course, guests can choose between truffle chicken with a chicken and mushroom pithivier or a vegan option of caramelised leek and pumpkin pithivier with tarragon sauce.
Desserts, presented on usherette trays in bespoke cups as a tribute to traditional cinema ice creams, include options like a popcorn sundae with chocolate mousse and toffee popcorn. Beverages feature a champagne reception and wines from Casillero del Diablo, including alcohol-free sparkling options.
Environmental Commitments and Carbon Reduction
BAFTA has emphasised that the menu is designed to be both indulgent and inclusive, with a sustainability-led approach. Caper & Berry holds ISO 14001 accreditation and follows a Net Zero pathway aligned with the UN Race to Zero initiative. The caterer employs full carbon measurement across all three GHG scopes, prioritising seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from regenerative producers. A zero-to-landfill policy and activity-based carbon reporting ensure measurable accountability, building on last year's efforts to align with BAFTA and ALBERT sustainability standards.
Menus have been consciously crafted to avoid high-impact red meat, with emissions tracked across food, transport, crew travel, and waste. Food has been identified as the primary emissions hotspot, leading to targeted reductions in staff catering. Operations are supported by reusable service ware and waste-conscious sourcing.
Star-Studded Ceremony and Nomination Highlights
Hosted by Alan Cumming, presenter of The Traitors US, the ceremony will welcome notable attendees including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi, and Michael B. Jordan. A lengthy list of celebrity guest presenters features Aimee Lou Wood, Alicia Vikander, Cillian Murphy, and Stormzy, among others.
In terms of nominations, One Battle After Another leads with fourteen nods, followed by supernatural horror Sinners with thirteen, and Hamnet with eleven. Hamnet, adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's award-winning novel, has broken the record for the most nominations for a female-directed film in BAFTA history. Other notable contenders include Marty Supreme with eleven nominations and Frankenstein and Sentimental Value with eight each.
Broadcast Details and Full Nomination List
The ceremony will be broadcast at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, and on E! in North America at 8:00pm Eastern Time, with additional international broadcasters. The EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 nominations span categories such as Best Film, Outstanding British Film, and the EE Rising Star Award, voted for by the public.
