The 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) are set to take place tonight, Sunday, February 22, 2026, at London’s iconic Royal Festival Hall. This year’s ceremony is particularly special for Indian fans as Alia Bhatt joins an elite roster of global presenters, following in the footsteps of stars like Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone.
The event, hosted for the first time by actor Alan Cumming, marks a major milestone in the 2026 awards season, serving as a primary indicator for the upcoming Oscars.
How to Watch Live in India
Due to the time difference, the ceremony will air in the early hours of Monday morning for Indian viewers.
- Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
- Time: 12:30 AM IST
- Streaming Platforms: SonyLIV (Official Broadcast) & BAFTA’s Official YouTube Channel
Star-Studded Lineup
Alia Bhatt will share the stage with some of the biggest names in Hollywood. The confirmed list of presenters and attendees includes:
- Presenters: Cillian Murphy, Glenn Close, Michael B. Jordan, Bryan Cranston, Alicia Vikander, and Monica Bellucci.
- Musical Guest: A historic first-time performance outside the U.S. of the song “Golden” by K-pop Demon Hunters’ Jae, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami.
2026 Frontrunners & Nominations
This year’s race is dominated by two massive titles, with Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest work leading the pack.
| Film | Total Nominations | Key Categories |
| One Battle After Another | 14 | Best Film, Director, Leading Actor (DiCaprio) |
| Sinners | 13 | Best Film, Director (Coogler), Leading Actor (Jordan) |
| Hamnet | 11 | Best Film, Leading Actress (Jessie Buckley) |
| Marty Supreme | 11 | Best Film, Leading Actor (Timothée Chalamet) |
India’s Special Mention: Beyond Alia Bhatt, Indian cinema is represented by the Manipuri-language film Boong, directed by Lakshmipriya Devi, which is nominated in the Best Children’s and Family Film category.
Prediction Watch
Experts are keeping a close eye on Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) and Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), who are currently the favorites to take home the Leading Actor and Actress trophies respectively. A win for Buckley would make her the first Irish performer to win the BAFTA for Best Actress.