It is finally here. Today, Sunday, February 22, 2026, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts will gather at the Royal Festival Hall to honor the greatest cinematic achievements of the past year. In a year defined by bold auteur-driven projects and massive box-office triumphs, the 2026 ceremony feels particularly electric. The red carpet, which began at 2:30 PM GMT, has already seen a parade of A-list talent, with the televised ceremony set to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7:00 PM GMT. This year’s ceremony isn’t just a precursor to the Oscars; it’s a definitive statement on the state of film, overseen by the sharp wit and vibrant energy of first-time host Alan Cumming.
The Frontrunners: A Battle for the Ages
Leading the charge tonight is Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” which secured a staggering 14 nominations. The film is the heavy favorite for Best Film and Best Director, but it faces stiff competition from Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” which follows closely with 13 nods. Close behind are Chloé Zhao’s “Hamnet” and Josh Safdie’s “Marty Supreme,” each holding 11 nominations. This quartet of films represents a diverse range of storytelling, from gritty historical drama to supernatural horror, ensuring that no single film will have an easy path to a sweep.
Acting Powerhouses: The Races to Watch
The acting categories are perhaps the most competitive they have been in a decade. In the Leading Actor category, the race is a dead heat between Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) and Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), though hometown favorite Robert Aramayo could pull an upset for his performance in I Swear. On the Leading Actress side, Jessie Buckley is the projected frontrunner for her role as Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet. If she wins, she will make history as the first Irish woman to take home the award, though she faces stiff competition from Emma Stone (Bugonia) and Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value).
The Performers and Special Honors
Beyond the competitive categories, the 2026 BAFTAs feature a high-profile entertainment lineup. The ceremony will showcase the first UK performance by KPop Demon Hunters, who are set to perform their record-breaking track “Golden.” Additionally, the legendary Jessie Ware will deliver an emotional tribute during the “In Memoriam” segment, performing a classic Barbra Streisand cover. The night’s highest honor, the BAFTA Fellowship, will be awarded to Dame Donna Langley, the Chairman of NBCUniversal, recognizing her monumental impact on the global film industry.
Supporting Stars and the Rising Star Award
The Supporting Actor and Actress races are equally stacked, with Benicio Del Toro and Wunmi Mosaku currently leading the betting odds for their respective turns in One Battle After Another and Sinners. Meanwhile, the EE Rising Star Award—the only category voted for by the public—remains a toss-up between breakout talents Chase Infiniti, Miles Caton, and Archie Madekwe. This award has a history of predicting future A-list stardom, and this year’s crop of nominees is being hailed as one of the strongest in the award’s 20-year history.
Nominees for the Main Categories
Best Film
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Outstanding British Film
- 28 Years Later
- The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
- Die My Love
- H Is for Hawk
- Hamnet
- I Swear
- Mr Burton
- Pillion
- Steve
Best Director
- Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
- Ryan Coogler – Sinners
- Yorgos Lanthimos – Bugonia
- Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
- Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
- Chloé Zhao – Hamnet
Leading Actress
- Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
- Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
- Chase Infiniti – Sinners
- Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value
- Emma Stone – Bugonia
Leading Actor
- Robert Aramayo – I Swear
- Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
- Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
- Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
- Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
- Jesse Plemons – Bugonia
Supporting Actress
- Odessa A’zion – Marty Supreme
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
- Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
- Carey Mulligan – The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
- Emily Watson – Hamnet
Supporting Actor
- Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi – Frankestein
- Paul Mescal – Hamnet
- Peter Mullan – I Swear
- Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
- Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value
EE Rising Star Award (Voted for by the Public)
- Chase Infiniti
- Miles Caton
- Archie Madekwe
- Robert Adamayo
- Posy Sterling