Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander Shine at BAFTA Gala

Michael Fassbender and his wife Alicia Vikander made a stunning appearance at the BAFTA Invest in Talent Gala in London on Thursday evening, showcasing the spotlight on emerging creative talent. The event, held at The Chancery Rosewood, gathered notable figures from the film and television industry to support the development of future creatives, with Michael Fassbender BAFTA Gala drawing attention for its star-studded presence.

Elegant Appearances at a Prestigious Fundraiser

Alicia Vikander, the Swedish actress aged 37, captivated attendees in a graceful grey off-the-shoulder gown featuring a ruffled neckline, a fitted waist with seam accents, and a long, flowing skirt. She complemented her sophisticated look with minimal accessories, wearing just a pair of silver stud earrings to let the dress remain the focal point. Michael Fassbender looked impeccably classic in a black-and-white tuxedo, posing closely beside his wife as they greeted photographers on the red carpet.

The biennial BAFTA Invest in Talent Gala is dedicated to raising funds to nurture the next generation of creative professionals in film, television, and gaming. This year’s gathering highlighted the continued commitment by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) to support innovative voices and stories.

Record-Breaking BAFTA Nominations Announced

The 2026 BAFTA nominations were revealed recently by actors David Jonsson, a 2025 Rising Star nominee, and Aimee Lou Wood. Among the nominees, the film One Battle After Another led the pack, receiving a remarkable 14 nominations including one for its lead actor, Leonardo DiCaprio.

Sinners followed closely with 13 nods, preserving its momentum after breaking records for the most Academy Award nominations ever given to a single film, tallying 16. It shattered the Oscars record previously held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land, each with 14 nominations.

The Historical drama Hamnet, Chloe Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel about Shakespeare’s family, garnered an impressive 11 nominations, setting a new record for the highest number of BAFTA nominations ever for a female-directed film.

Leading Categories Feature Fierce Competition

In the Best Film category, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Sentimental Value are all contenders for the night’s top honor. Jessie Buckley, who stars in Hamnet, remains a strong favorite for Leading Actress, having already won the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award; she is also expected to compete strongly for the Oscar and SAG Awards.

Other actresses nominated in the Leading Actress category include Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value, and Emma Stone for Bugonia.

In the Supporting Actor segment, Paul Mescal received a BAFTA nod for his role in Hamnet, though he was notably absent from the Oscar nominations. He faces strong competition from Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn, both nominated for their parts in One Battle After Another, alongside Jacob Elordi, Petter Mullan, and Stellan Skarsgård.

Leonardo DiCaprio aims to secure his second career BAFTA with his seventh nomination for One Battle After Another, competing against Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme. The category also includes Robert Aramayo, Ethan Hawke, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, and Jesse Plemons.

Expectations for British Talent and Diverse Performances

The Supporting Actress nominees include Nigerian-British actress Wunmi Mosaku from Sinners, alongside Carey Mulligan and Emily Watson. They are nominated together with Odessa A’Zion for Marty Supreme, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another.

This year’s nominees also showcase many first-time BAFTA nominees in performance categories, such as Robert Aramayo, Odessa A’Zion, Rose Byrne, Chase Infiniti, Michael B. Jordan, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Stellan Skarsgård, and Teyana Taylor. On the directing front, two first-time nominees – Ryan Coogler for Sinners and Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme – highlight the fresh talent recognized by the Academy.

Aftershock of Oscars Success and BAFTA Contenders

The vampire thriller Sinners made history at the Oscars and now commands considerable attention at the BAFTA Film Awards with 13 total nominations. Meanwhile, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another received widespread acclaim as well, with nods in all four acting categories including multiple supporting actor mentions. It also picked up nominations in directing, writing, and various technical categories such as cinematography, editing, and sound.

Notably, the film Wicked: For Good, which was completely overlooked by the Academy Awards, managed to earn two BAFTA nominations for costume design and makeup.

The Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent also received two BAFTA nominations, fewer than the multiple nominations it garnered at the Oscars, where it was recognized for best actor and best picture.

A film titled K-Pop Demon Hunters was disqualified from contention at BAFTA due to distribution rules, as its UK release on streaming preceded theatrical distribution.

Nominees for the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award

The annual EE BAFTA Rising Star Award, chosen by public vote, highlights promising emerging actors. Nominees include Archie Madekwe for Lurker, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, Miles Caton from Sinners, Posy Sterling for Lollipop, and Robert Aramayo for I Swear. The selection panel features well-known actors such as Joe Alwyn, Sheila Atim, and Benedict Wong, alongside other respected industry experts.

This award is widely viewed as a predictor of future success in Hollywood, with past winners including major stars like Tom Holland, James McAvoy, Lashana Lynch, Kristen Stewart, Eva Green, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, and Tom Hardy.

Insights from BAFTA Leadership Reflect Industry Optimism

Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, congratulated those behind the nominated films, emphasizing the quality and diversity of storytelling. She said,

“Huge congratulations to the teams behind the 46 superb films nominated today. They showcase the very best of storytelling and its ability to engage, entertain and provoke debate.”

Millichip added,

“This year’s nominated films are full of bold storytelling and exquisite craft. And the breadth of narrative, genres and styles is spellbinding.”

She expressed hope for new nominees to enjoy the recognition and spoke about the excitement leading up to the 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards.

“Whether newcomers or veterans, I hope our first-time nominees enjoy this much deserved spotlight, and I look forward to welcoming them and all our returning nominees to London,”

she said.

“As the UK’s leading arts charity and academy, it’s a real privilegeto showcase this year’s brilliant films and the talent in the 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards, which will be broadcast on BBC, BBC iPlayer, and across the world on 22 February,”

Millichip concluded.

Upcoming Ceremony and Award Highlights

The 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 22, 2026, with Alan Cumming serving as the host. This high-profile event will honor figures like Michael Fassbender while spotlighting both established and emerging talents shaping the entertainment industry.

Comprehensive List of 2026 BAFTA Film Nominations

The nominations span multiple categories, illustrating the variety and innovation of this year’s films.

Best Film:

1. Hamnet
2. Marty Supreme
3. One Battle After Another
4. Sentimental Value
5. Sinners

Outstanding British Film:

1. 28 Years Later
2. The Ballad of Wallis Island
3. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
4. Die My Love
5. H Is for Hawk
6. Hamnet
7. I Swear
8. Mr Burton
9. Pillion
10. Steve

Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer:

1. The Ceremony – Jack King (Director, Writer), Hollie Bryan (Producer), Lucy Meer (Producer)
2. My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr. (Director), Wale Davies (Writer)
3. Pillion – Harry Lighton (Director, Writer)
4. A Want in Her – Myrid Carten (Director)
5. Wasteman – Cal McMau (Director), Hunter Andrews (Writer), Eoin Doran (Writer)

Film Not in the English Language:

1. It Was Just an Accident
2. The Secret Agent
3. Sentimental Value
4. Sirāt
5. The Voice of Hind Rajab

Documentary:

1. 2000 Meters to Andriivka
2. Apocalypse in the Tropics
3. Cover-Up
4. Mr. Nobody Against Putin
5. The Perfect Neighbor

Animated Film:

1. Elio
2. Little Amélie
3. Zootropolis 2

Children’s & Family Film:

1. Arco
2. Boong
3. Lilo & Stitch
4. Zootropolis 2

Director:

1. Bugonia
2. Hamnet
3. Marty Supreme
4. One Battle After Another
5. Sentimental Value
6. Sinners

Original Screenplay:

1. I Swear
2. Marty Supreme
3. The Secret Agent
4. Sentimental Value
5. Sinners

Adapted Screenplay:

1. The Ballad of Wallis Island
2. Bugonia
3. Hamnet
4. One Battle After Another
5. Pillion

Leading Actress:

1. Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
2. Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
3. Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
4. Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another
5. Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value
6. Emma Stone – Bugonia

Leading Actor:

1. Robert Aramayo – I Swear
2. Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
3. Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
4. Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
5. Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
6. Jesse Plemons – Bugonia

Supporting Actress:

1. Odessa A’Zion – Marty Supreme
2. Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
3. Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
4. Carey Mulligan – The Ballad of Wallis Island
5. Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
6. Emily Watson – Hamnet

Supporting Actor:

1. Benicio Del Toro – One Battle After Another
2. Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
3. Paul Mescal – Hamnet
4. Peter Mullan – I Swear
5. Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
6. Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value

Casting:

1. I Swear – Lauren Evans
2. Marty Supreme – Jennifer Venditti
3. One Battle After Another – Cassandra Kulukundis
4. Sentimental Value – Yngvill Kolset Haga, Avy Kaufman
5. Sinners – Francine Maisler

Cinematography:

1. Frankenstein – Dan Laustsen
2. Marty Supreme – Darius Khondji
3. One Battle After Another – Michael Bauman
4. Sinners – Autumn Durald Arkapaw
5. Train Dreams – Adolpho Veloso

Editing:

1. F1 – Stephen Mirrione
2. A House of Dynamite – Kirk Baxter
3. Marty Supreme – Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie
4. One Battle After Another – Andy Jurgensen
5. Sinners – Michael P. Shawver

Costume Design:

1. Frankenstein – Kate Hawley
2. Hamnet – Malgosia Turzanska
3. Marty Supreme – Miyako Bellizzi
4. Sinners – Ruth E. Carter
5. Wicked: For Good – Paul Tazewell

Makeup & Hair:

1. Frankenstein – Jordan Samuel, Cliona Furey, Mike Hill, Megan Many
2. Hamnet – Nicole Stafford
3. Marty Supreme – Kyra Panchenko, Kay Georgiou, Mike Fontaine
4. Sinners – Siân Richards, Shunika Terry, Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine
5. Wicked: For Good – Frances Hannon, Laura Blount, Mark Coulier, Sarah Nuth

Original Score:

1. Bugonia – Jerskin Fendrix
2. Frankenstein – Alexandre Desplat
3. Hamnet – Max Richter
4. One Battle After Another – Jonny Greenwood
5. Sinners – Ludwig Göransson

Production Design:

1. Frankenstein – Tamara Deverell, Shane Vieau
2. Hamnet – Fiona Crombie, Alice Felton
3. Marty Supreme – Jack Fisk, Adam Willis
4. One Battle After Another – Florencia Martin, Anthony Carlino
5. Sinners – Hannah Beachler, Monique Champagne

Sound:

1. F1 – Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta
2. Frankenstein – Greg Chapman, Nathan Robitallie, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke, Brad Zoem
3. One Battle After Another – Jose Antonio Garcia, Christopher Scarabosio, Tony Villaflor
4. Sinners – Chris Welcker, Benny Burtt, Brandon Proctor, Steve Boeddeker, Felipe Pacheco
5. Warfare – Mitch Low, Ben Barker, Howard Bargroff, Richard Spooner

Special Visual Effects:

1. Avatar: Fire and Ash – Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Daniel Barrett, Eric Saindon
2. F1 – Ryan Tudhope, Keith Alfred Dawson, Nicolas Chevallier, Robert Harrington
3. Frankenstein – Dennis Berardi, Ayo Burgess, Ivan Busquets, José Granell
4. How to Train Your Dragon – Christian Mänz, Francois Lambert, Glen McIntosh, Terry Palmer
5. The Lost Bus – Charlie Noble, Brandon K. McLaughlin, David Zaretti

British Short Animation:

1. Cardboard
2. Solstice
3. Two Black Boys in Paradise

British Short Film:

1. Magid / Zafar
2. Nostalgie
3. Terence
4. This Is Endometriosis
5. Welcome Home Freckles

EE Rising Star Award Nominees (Public Voted):

1. Robert Aramayo
2. Miles Caton
3. Chase Infiniti
4. Archie Madekwe
5. Posy Sterling