Get ready, film fanatics! The highly anticipated 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards are just around the corner, and this year, the ceremony will be hosted by none other than the multi-talented Alan Cumming! Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 22, 2026, when the awards will air on BBC One and iPlayer. This promises to be a night of glitz, glamour, and celebrating the best in film.
Cumming, a Scottish actor, writer, producer, and presenter, is no stranger to the BAFTA family, having hosted the 2025 BAFTA Television Awards earlier this year. The 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards will once again take place at the iconic Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London. The ceremony is a major event, honoring the year's cinematic achievements and the incredible individuals who bring these stories to life. The 2025 ceremony drew an average of 3 million viewers on BBC One, with over 64 million video views across BAFTA’s social platforms.
But here's where it gets exciting: Alan Cumming brings a wealth of experience to the role. He's a celebrated artist with a career spanning television, film, and theatre. From his Tony and Olivier award-winning performance in Cabaret to his Golden Globe-winning role in The Good Wife, Cumming has consistently demonstrated his versatility. And this is the part most people miss... More recently, he's captivated audiences as the host and producer of The Traitors US, earning him four Emmys and two Critics’ Choice awards. He's also the artistic director of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
In Cumming's own words, he's thrilled to be back in the BAFTA fold, promising a night of creativity, craftsmanship, laughter, and perhaps a bit of mischief! Emma Baehr, BAFTA's executive director of Awards & Content, echoes the excitement, anticipating an unforgettable evening filled with wit, warmth, and surprises.
The EE BAFTA Film Awards feature 25 competitive categories, judged by BAFTA's voting members. BAFTA represents the UK's largest film, games, and TV voting body, comprising nearly 14,000 creative professionals.
Here’s the timeline: Voting for the Film Awards' first round opened on December 5, 2025. The longlists will be unveiled on January 9, with nominations following on January 27. And don't forget the EE Rising Star Award, the only category voted for by the public, with nominees announced on January 14 and the winner revealed at the awards ceremony on February 22.
What are your predictions? Will the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards be even bigger and better? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Watch the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
For media inquiries, contact DDA PR or the BAFTA Press Office. Follow BAFTA on social media for all the latest updates!
About BAFTA: BAFTA is a charity dedicated to celebrating the screen arts, supporting new talent, and fostering creative collaboration.
About EE: EE is one of the UK’s leading subscription businesses, known for its extensive mobile network and commitment to customer service.
