Baftas 2026: A Glittering Celebration of Cinema in London
The 2026 Bafta film awards ceremony unfolded in spectacular fashion at the Royal Festival Hall on London's Southbank, blending glamour with playful moments. Host Alan Cumming set a lighthearted tone by distributing packets of crisps and other British snacks to unsuspecting A-list guests, including Stormzy, who received his favourite, Skips. This unique touch added a whimsical flair to an evening dedicated to honouring cinematic excellence.
Major Winners and Memorable Speeches
Jessie Buckley stole the spotlight, clinching the leading actress award for her role as Agnes Hathaway in Hamnet. Overjoyed, she delivered a heartfelt speech, surrounded by the film's team, including director Chloé Zhao and writer Maggie O'Farrell, who also accepted the outstanding British film award. Meanwhile, Robert Aramayo experienced a night to remember, winning both the EE rising star award and the leading actor prize, sharing emotional embraces with his family.
In other key categories, Paul Thomas Anderson triumphed, taking home the best director and best film awards for One Battle After Another, with Warwick Davis presenting the adapted screenplay honour. Ryan Coogler celebrated multiple wins for Sinners, including best original screenplay and original score, accepted on behalf of Ludwig Göransson. The ceremony also paid tribute to industry legends, with Jessie Ware performing a moving rendition of The Way We Were theme in memory of Robert Redford.
Diverse Awards and International Recognition
The event showcased a wide array of talent across genres. Frankenstein dominated technical categories, securing awards for production design, makeup and hair, and costume design. Avatar: Fire And Ash earned special visual effects accolades, while Zootropolis 2 won best animated film. International cinema was highlighted as Joachim Trier accepted the best film not in the English language award for Sentimental Value.
Notable debuts and short films received acclaim, with Akinola Davies Jr. winning the outstanding debut award for My Father's Shadow, and Two Black Boys in Paradise claiming the British short animation prize. The documentary category honoured Mr Nobody Against Putin, with Russian teacher Pavel Talankin and his team accepting the award. Additionally, Dame Donna Langley, head of Universal Pictures, was presented with the Bafta fellowship by Prince William, underscoring her contributions to the film industry.
A Night of Surprises and Celebrations
From Leonardo DiCaprio, nominated for best actor, enjoying snacks in the auditorium to Wunmi Mosaku posing proudly after her best supporting actress win for Sinners, the evening was filled with candid moments. The winner's room buzzed with excitement as teams like Cliona Furey and Jordan Samuel celebrated their makeup and hair award. As the ceremony concluded, it reinforced the Baftas' role in celebrating global filmmaking, with London's iconic Southbank providing a fitting backdrop for this star-studded affair.
