BAFTA Film Awards Find New US Home on E! as 2026 Nominees Emerge
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The British Academy Film Awards have announced a new broadcast partner in the United States, with E! set to air the ceremony on February 22 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This marks a shift from Britbox, which previously held the US broadcast rights, while the awards will continue to be shown on BBC One and iPlayer in the United Kingdom.
A New Stage for British and Global Cinema
The BAFTA Film Awards celebrate excellence in both British and international filmmaking. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Alan Cumming, known for his role in “The Traitors,” promising a dynamic and engaging evening for viewers. The move to E! signals an effort to broaden the awards’ reach to a wider American audience.
Frontrunners Emerge in 2026 Race
The nominations for the 2026 awards are led by Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another,” which garnered an impressive 14 nominations. Close behind is Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners,” a historical horror film, with 13 nods. The competition for Best Film also includes “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” and “Sentimental Value,” setting the stage for a compelling awards season.
Rising Stars and Established Icons Compete
This year’s nominees showcase a blend of established Hollywood talent and emerging British stars. Robert Aramayo, recognized as a breakout performer in “I Swear,” is contending for the Leading Actor award alongside industry veterans such as Timothée Chalamet (“Marty Supreme”), Leonardo DiCaprio (“One Battle After Another”), Ethan Hawke (“Blue Moon”), Michael B. Jordan (“Sinners”), and Jesse Plemons (“Bugonia”). The diverse range of nominees highlights the global appeal and artistic breadth of the films in contention.
BAFTAs as an Oscars Bellwether
In recent years, the BAFTA Film Awards have gained prominence as a strong predictor of success at the Academy Awards. In 2025, the two ceremonies aligned on winners in key categories, including Best Actress (Mikey Madison for “Anora”), Best Actor (Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist”), Best Supporting Actor (Kieran Culkin for “A Real Pain”), and Best Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldaña for “Emilia Pérez”). With final Oscars voting concluding on March 5, industry observers are keenly watching to see if this year’s BAFTA winners will similarly influence the outcome of the Oscars.
The influence of the BAFTAs underscores their growing importance in the global film landscape, and the 2026 awards promise to be a pivotal moment in the awards season.
