79th BAFTA Film Awards 2026: What’s Happening Tonight in London

The glamorous 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA awards 2026), one of the most influential nights in global cinema, is taking place tonight at the iconic Royal Festival Hall in London. The event honours the best films of 2025 and is set to broadcast globally, with fans in India able to stream the ceremony live late tonight into Monday on SonyLIV and BAFTA’s official YouTube channel. 

Star-Studded Nomination Leaders

Before the winners are announced, a fierce competition has already emerged:

• One Battle After Another leads the nominations with 14 nods, making it the early favourite in multiple major categories including Best Film and directing honours. 

• Close behind with 13 nominations is the epic drama Sinners, which has also been a key contender throughout awards season.

• Other heavyweight films like Hamnet and Marty Supreme have each secured 11 nominations, underscoring just how competitive this year’s race has become.

  
  

These nominations come amid a broader awards season chatter that also ties closely to the upcoming Oscars 2026, making tonight’s results especially influential for industry predictions.

Global & Indian Talent in the Spotlight at BAFTA Awards 2026

This year’s ceremony stands out for its diverse mix of international talent:

• Scottish actor Alan Cumming is hosting the BAFTA Awards for the first time, promising an energetic and unpredictable night on stage. 

• Alia Bhatt, one of Bollywood’s biggest global icons, will be one of the presenters, marking yet another international milestone for Indian cinema on the world awards stage. 

• A unique highlight this year is the nomination of the Manipuri coming-of-age film Boong in the Best Children’s & Family Film category, spotlighting South Asian cinema in unprecedented ways. 

  
  

How & Where Fans Are Watching

With global audiences tuning in, the BAFTA awards ceremony is being broadcast:

• On BBC One in the UK with a 7 p.m. GMT start time.

• In North America on the E! Network later as a pre-recorded special.

• In India, a live stream is available on SonyLIV and the BAFTA YouTube channel, beginning at approximately 12:30 a.m. IST on Monday, February 23.

  
  

Fans and industry watchers are already buzzing on social media about red carpet looks, presenter lineups, and early predictions with tonight’s winners likely to heavily influence the awards calendar, especially the Oscars next month.