In the fascinating world of film award ceremonies, we all know about the Oscars, as flashy as a disco ball, and the César Awards, a tad moody and very Parisian, but there is also the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), the British version which combines style, stiff upper lip and irreverence (we’re thinking, maybe, of Alan Cumming). Let’s take a quick look at the EE BAFTA Film Awards ahead of the ceremony on 22 February 2026, where Taittinger Champagne will be served as BAFTA’s Official Champagne Partner for over twenty years.
British elegance serving cinema
Every year since 1947, London has rolled out the red carpet for cinema, before adding in Awards for Television and more recently for Games. A world famous independent arts charity, the organisation was founded shortly after the Second World War, the brain-child of film director Sir David Lean (to whom we owe the epic Lawrence of Arabia from 1962) in order to celebrate British prowess in the cinema.
The ceremony grew over the decades, opening up to foreign productions and becoming a must-attend event on the international scene, although it soon stood out for its typically British spirit: sharp speeches, legendary irreverence and a soft spot for off-the-wall comedies.
Nowadays, the EE BAFTA Film Awards are a key date in the awards season – in fact, the ceremony is often considered the warm-up for the Oscars; the difference being that here, great blockbuster dramas are revered as much as independent films shot in a backyard in Manchester or a garage in Yorkshire.
“BAFTA’s mission as a charity is to celebrate, support, and elevate the creative and cultural impact of the screen arts across film, games, and television, says Becky Tomlinson, Head of Account management at BAFTA. This mission would not be possible without the dedication and generosity of our partners, whose support enables us to champion talent, inspire audiences, and drive positive industry change year after year. Our longstanding relationship with Champagne Taittinger reflects their genuine and unwavering commitment to the arts, culture, and the screen industries. Their continued partnership is not only deeply valued but also instrumental in helping us deliver our work with ambition and excellence. We are proud to recognise Champagne Taittinger as one of our esteemed Official Partners, and look forward to building on this partnership in the years to come.”
BAFTA 2026 Nominations
This year, the BAFTA ceremony, hosted by Scottish actor and presenter Alan Cumming, will take place on Sunday, 22 February at the Royal Festival Hall in London to celebrate the films of 2025. The nominations, announced on 27 January, highlight a wide range of films, including Paul Thomas Anderson’s thriller “One Battle After Another”, Ryan Coogler’s vampire film “Sinners”, the Shakespearean epic “Hamnet” – a historic nomination for director Chloé Zhao – the social comedy I Swear, and the comedy‑drama blending humor and nostalgia “The Ballad of Wallis Island”, nominated in the Outstanding British Film category, which celebrates British cinema alongside the highly competitive Best Film category.
On the performance and craft side, several actors receive their first BAFTA nomination this year (Robert Aramayo, Odessa A’zion, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), alongside Michael B. Jordan, Rose Byrne and Stellan Skarsgård, while British film artisans – cinematographers, editors, costume designers, makeup artists and visual effects specialists – are also recognized for the first time. Films such as “Frankenstein” and “Marty Supreme” stand out in cinematography, editing, production design, costumes and visual effects, while composers like Max Richter for “Hamnet” and Jonny Greenwood for “One Battle After Another” are honored in the Original Music category.
After the Film Awards on 22 February, broadcast live on BBC One, the next events are scheduled for April to recognize the best video games of 2025, as well as technical and creative contributions in television. The BAFTA Television Awards, in partnership with P&O Cruises, will follow on 10 May.
Whether it’s major films, television productions, or unforgettable performances, this diverse slate of nominations reflects a renewal of faces and technical talent, making the BAFTAs a benchmark of skill and creativity in the global audiovisual industry.
