Alia Bhatt to present at 79th edition in London
February 22, 2026: Awards season gathers pace as the 79th edition of the BAFTA Awards takes centre stage on February 22 at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Organised by British Academy of Film and Television Arts, the ceremony will be hosted for the first time by Alan Cumming. The awards begin at 7 pm GMT, which is approximately 12:30 am IST on February 23 for Indian viewers. Fans in India can stream the event live on SonyLIV and BAFTA’s official YouTube channel.
Adding a desi touch to the global gala, Alia Bhatt will be among the international presenters. The star-studded lineup also features Bryan Cranston, Cillian Murphy, Gillian Anderson, Glenn Close, Michael B. Jordan, Riz Ahmed and Patrick Dempsey. The evening will also include special musical moments, with Jessie Ware performing during the In Memoriam tribute.
Among the top nominees, One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, leads with 14 nominations. Sinners follows closely with 13 nods, marking a milestone for director Ryan Coogler. Other major contenders include Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Frankenstein, Sentimental Value and I Swear. In acting categories, names such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Stone and Kate Hudson feature prominently, promising a glamorous and closely watched night for cinema lovers worldwide.