Highlights from the 2026 Bafta Film Awards: Winners, Royal Guests, and Red Carpet Moments

The 2026 Bafta Film Awards showcased a mix of surprises, celebrity appearances, and memorable moments at the Royal Festival Hall. The night’s biggest shock was Robert Aramayo, 33, winning Best Actor for his role in ‘I Swear’, defeating frontrunner Timothée Chalamet, whose film ‘Marty Supreme’ left empty-handed despite 11 nominations. The awards also welcomed the Prince and Princess of Wales, who shared insights about films they’ve recently watched, including the F1 movie scored by Hans Zimmer and the Shakespeare drama ‘Hamnet’. Paddington Bear made a charming appearance, presenting the Children’s and Family Film award and amusing the audience by getting marmalade on the Bafta trophy. Host Alan Cumming apologized several times for strong language, explaining it arose from involuntary tics of Tourette’s syndrome, as portrayed in ‘I Swear’. While the Netflix hit ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ was ineligible for awards due to its streaming-first release, its cast performed the song ‘Golden’. Other highlights included Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrams making a stylish red carpet appearance and performances during the In Memoriam segment by Jessie Ware. Overall, the evening celebrated both British talent and international stars, combining formal ceremonies with playful and heartwarming moments.