The 79th BAFTA Film Awards: Your Complete Guide to the 2026 Ceremony
Prepare your champagne and finalize your predictions – the most prestigious night in British cinema returns with the 79th annual BAFTA Film Awards. Global stars from both sides of the Atlantic will gather in London for this glittering celebration of cinematic excellence. From the nominated films and performers to the ceremony details and special awards, here is your comprehensive guide to everything you need to know about this year's event.
When and Where Are the BAFTAs Taking Place?
This year's ceremony will be held on Sunday 22 January 2026 at the iconic Royal Festival Hall, located within London's Southbank Centre. As is traditional, the BAFTAs will occur earlier than the scheduled broadcast time, meaning the red carpet arrivals will take place on Sunday afternoon. Viewers can watch the arrivals live on BAFTA's official YouTube channel, with the stream hosted by Clara Amfo and Ali Plumb beginning at 2.30pm GMT.
How to Watch the BAFTAs on Television
The awards ceremony itself will take place in the late afternoon, with the edited broadcast airing on BBC One at 7pm GMT. For those wishing to avoid spoilers, it is advisable to stay off social media until after the broadcast. The televised presentation is scheduled to last approximately two hours, featuring highlights from the ceremony and winner announcements.
Who Is Hosting the 2026 Ceremony?
Alan Cumming takes over hosting duties from David Tennant, who presided over the ceremonies in 2024 and 2025. While this marks Cumming's first time hosting the film awards, he previously presented the television BAFTAs in 2025. The Scottish star, known internationally for his work on stage and screen, including hosting the US version of The Traitors, is expected to bring his signature wit and charm to the proceedings.
Which Films and Stars Are Nominated?
The nomination list features numerous critically acclaimed films from the past year. Leading the pack is One Battle After Another with an impressive 14 nominations, closely followed by Sinners with 13 nominations. Both Marty Supreme and Hamnet have received 11 nominations each.
In the Best Actress category, Jessie Buckley is widely favored for her performance 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). The Best Actor race sees Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) competing against Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), and British rising star Robert Aramayo for his role in I Swear, a biographical drama about John Davidson.
Paul Thomas Anderson is heavily tipped to win Best Director for One Battle After Another, which is also the strong favorite for Best Film.
Which Winners Have Already Been Announced?
Two special awards will be presented during the ceremony. Dame Donna Langley, the British chairman of NBCUniversal, will receive the BAFTA Fellowship, the organization's highest honor, in recognition of her prolific career and influence in the entertainment industry. Additionally, Clare Binns, creative director of PictureHouse Cinema, will be awarded the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award for her work championing diverse and independent films across the UK.
Who Is Presenting the Awards?
In a delightful twist, Paddington Bear will take a break from the West End production of Paddington The Musical to present the Best Children's and Family Film award. He will be joined by an extensive roster of presenters including Aaron Pierre, Aimee Lou Wood, Alicia Vikander, Alia Bhatt, Bryan Cranston, Cillian Murphy, David Jonsson, Delroy Lindo, Emily Watson, Erin Doherty, Ethan Hawke, Gillian Anderson, Glenn Close, Hannah Waddingham, Karen Gillan, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Kerry Washington, Little Simz, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mia McKenna-Bruce, Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton, Milly Alcock, Minnie Driver, Monica Bellucci, Noah Jupe, Olivia Cooke, Patrick Dempsey, Regé-Jean Page, Riz Ahmed, Sadie Sink, Stellan Skarsgård, Stormzy, and Warwick Davis.
Who Is Performing at the Ceremony?
Musical performances will add to the evening's entertainment. Jae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the voices behind the group Huntr/X from the film KPop Demon Hunters, will perform their hit song "Golden" – marking their first performance of the track outside the United States. Additionally, Jessie Ware will take to the stage to sing a Barbara Streisand cover during the In Memoriam tribute, honoring industry figures lost over the past year.
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards promise to be a spectacular celebration of cinematic achievement, blending British tradition with international star power for an unforgettable evening.
