Sophie Habboo stuns in black lace gown as she joins Jamie Laing to host EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall in London

If there’s one evening when London truly glitters, it’s BAFTA night.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts pulled out all the stops on Sunday as the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 took over the iconic Royal Festival Hall.

The Southbank Centre venue buzzed long before the ceremony even began.

Cameras flashed, stylists fussed, and the first wave of stars began stepping onto the red carpet as the capital’s film crowd gathered to celebrate the year’s biggest cinematic achievements.

Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing Lead the Early Arrivals

Among the first to pose were red carpet hosts Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing.

Sophie, glowing just three months after welcoming baby Ziggy, stunned in a strapless black lace gown that hugged her figure perfectly.

The mother-of-one looked effortlessly confident as she smiled for photographers.

Beside her, Jamie kept things classic in a sharp black suit paired with a crisp white shirt, proudly wrapping an arm around his wife.

They set the tone for the evening — glamorous but relaxed, polished without feeling forced.

Glamour in Gold and Sheer Black

Radio presenter Clara Amfo turned heads in a shimmering gold gown that highlighted her hourglass silhouette.

She wasn’t just there to pose — she was also reporting live from outside the venue alongside film journalist Ali Plumb.

Meanwhile, Supporting Actress nominee Odessa A’zion made an early entrance in a daring black lace dress with sheer panels.

Fresh from missing out on an Oscars nod, she appeared unfazed, embracing the spotlight with confidence.

Singer Jessie Ware, who later performed during the ceremony, brightened up the carpet in a striking yellow gown, accessorised with silver earrings and a glamorous makeup look.

A Host With Flair and A-List Heavyweights in the Room

This year’s ceremony was hosted by Alan Cumming, known for his wit and theatrical charm — a fitting choice for a night celebrating cinematic craft.

Inside the hall, the guest list read like a who’s who of global film.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi, and Michael B. Jordan were among the major names expected to attend.

Guest presenters included Cillian Murphy, Alicia Vikander, and British grime star Stormzy, reinforcing the global flavour of the evening.

Performances and Powerful Tributes

Entertainment wasn’t in short supply. Jessie Ware delivered a moving tribute performance honouring Barbra Streisand during the In Memoriam segment — always one of the night’s most emotional moments.

The ceremony also featured a special performance of Golden from KPop Demon Hunters, marking its first rendition outside the United States.

It was a reminder that BAFTA may be British at heart, but its reach is firmly international.

Special Honours and Industry Recognition

The coveted BAFTA Fellowship — the organisation’s highest accolade — was awarded to Donna Langley, Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential executives in the business, she was recognised for shaping modern studio filmmaking on a global scale.

Clare Binns, Creative Director of Picturehouse Cinemas, received the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema award, praised for championing independent and diverse storytelling across UK screens.

Beyond the glamour, BAFTA’s broader mission remains clear: supporting talent development through scholarships, mentoring schemes and masterclasses across the UK and North America.

It’s not just about trophies — it’s about nurturing the next generation.

The Big Film Contenders

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another led the pack with an impressive fourteen nominations, closely followed by supernatural horror Sinners with thirteen.

Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, secured eleven nominations and made history as the most-nominated female-directed film in BAFTA history.

Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s acclaimed novel about Shakespeare’s family life, it struck a chord with both critics and audiences.

Irish actress Jessie Buckley earned a Leading Actress nomination for Hamnet after already collecting major awards attention elsewhere.

Co-star Paul Mescal was nominated in Supporting Actor, hoping BAFTA might reward him after awards season setbacks in other ceremonies.

Meanwhile, Timothée Chalamet’s Marty Supreme continued its strong run with eleven nominations, including Best Film and Leading Actor.

Broadcast to Millions

For viewers at home, the ceremony aired at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, and on E! in North America, ensuring fans across continents could follow every acceptance speech and surprise win.

BAFTA has steadily grown into one of the most closely watched film award ceremonies in the world, often seen as a strong indicator of how awards season will unfold.

What’s Next?

With the winners now crowned, attention will inevitably shift to how BAFTA’s results influence the remainder of awards season.

Films like One Battle After Another and Hamnet could gain extra momentum heading into future global ceremonies.

For rising stars — especially nominees in the EE Rising Star Award, voted for by the public — tonight could mark a career-defining turning point.

And for London? Another unforgettable night of cinema magic is officially in the books.

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Summary

The EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 lit up London’s Royal Festival Hall as major stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan gathered to celebrate the year’s best in film.

Sophie Habboo and Jamie Laing led early red carpet arrivals, while Clara Amfo, Odessa A’zion and Jessie Ware dazzled in standout looks.

Hosted by Alan Cumming, the ceremony honoured Dame Donna Langley with the BAFTA Fellowship and celebrated top contenders including One Battle After Another, Sinners and Hamnet.

Broadcast globally, the event once again cemented BAFTA’s place as a key milestone in the international awards season.