Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander attended the BAFTA Invest in Talent Gala in London on Thursday evening, displaying elegance and poise at this prominent event. The focus on Michael Fassbender BAFTA Gala was highlighted as the actor posed alongside his wife, underscoring their joint presence at this key occasion.
The gala took place at The Chancery Rosewood and served as a biennial fundraiser aimed at supporting emerging creatives in film, television, and gaming industries. Alicia Vikander, a Swedish actress aged 37, captivated attendees in a sophisticated grey off-the-shoulder gown while Michael Fassbender looked sharp in a classic black-and-white tuxedo as the couple posed for the red carpet.
Elegant Red Carpet Looks of Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender
Alicia Vikander’s dress featured a ruffled off-the-shoulder neckline with a seam-detailed fitted waist that flared into a sweeping skirt, exemplifying refined style. She complemented the gown with minimal accessories, wearing only delicate silver stud earrings to emphasize the dress’s design.
Michael Fassbender wrapped an arm around Alicia for photographs, presenting a poised and polished image in his tuxedo. The couple’s appearance underscored their status as beloved figures within the film community, attracting attention for their understated yet elegant fashion choices.
BAFTA 2026 Nominations Reveal Strong Contenders and Records
Recently announced BAFTA 2026 nominations showcased a wide array of films and talents competing for prestigious awards across multiple categories. Among the highlights, the film One Battle After Another led the pack with 14 nominations, including one for its star Leonardo DiCaprio.
Following close behind was Sinners with 13 nominations, making it the second most recognized film. Notably, Sinners broke the record with 16 Academy Award nominations, surpassing long-held Oscar records alongside its strong BAFTA presence.
The films Marty Supreme and Hamnet earned eleven nominations each, while Frankenstein and Sentimental Value received eight apiece. Other movies, including I Swear and Bugonia, garnered five nominations, and The Ballad of Wallis Island, Pillion, and F1 earned three nominations each.
Historic Nominations for Female-Directed Film with Hamnet
Hamnet, directed by Chloe Zhao and adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, made BAFTA history by receiving the highest number of nominations ever achieved by a female-directed film. This film joins the Best Film category with Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners, and Sentimental Value competing for this top honor.
Irish actress Jessie Buckley, a frontrunner for major awards this season, earned a leading actress nomination for her role in Hamnet. Already recognized with a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award, Buckley is anticipated to contend for the upcoming Oscar and SAG Awards.
Other Prominent Acting Nominees and Categories
The Leading Actress category includes Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value, and Emma Stone for Bugonia.
Paul Mescal, co-star of Hamnet, secured a Supporting Actor nomination despite being overlooked at the Oscars. He faces competition from Benicio Del Toro and Sean Penn for One Battle After Another, Jacob Elordi for Frankenstein, Petter Mullan for I Swear, and Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value.
Leonardo DiCaprio, nominated for his role in One Battle After Another, aims to claim his second BAFTA amid challenges from Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme, Robert Aramayo for I Swear, Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, and Jesse Plemons for Bugonia.
Strong Contenders Among Supporting Actress and First-Time Nominees
In the Supporting Actress category, hopefuls include Nigerian–British star Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, Carey Mulligan for The Ballad of Wallis Island, Emily Watson for Hamnet, Odessa A’Zion for Marty Supreme, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another.
Several first-time nominees in acting categories are gaining recognition, including Robert Aramayo, Odessa A’Zion, Rose Byrne, Chase Infiniti, Michael B. Jordan, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Stellan Skarsgård, and Teyana Taylor. This influx of fresh talent signals a dynamic shift in the industry’s landscape.
Best Director and Notable Industry Recognitions
The Best Director category features six nominees, including first-time contenders Ryan Coogler for Sinners and Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme. The diversity and depth of this category illustrate the remarkable creative visions shaping modern cinema.
JAne Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, praised this year’s nominated films, stating,
“Huge congratulations to the teams behind the 46 superb films nominated today. They showcase the very best of storytelling and its ability to engage, entertain and provoke debate.”
She added,
“This year’s nominated films are full of bold storytelling and exquisite craft. And the breadth of narrative, genres and styles is spellbinding.”
Millichip also expressed optimism for newcomers and veterans alike, highlighting the delight in presenting this talented group at the 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards on February 22, 2026, with Alan Cumming as host.
Comprehensive List of BAFTA 2026 Nominations
The Best Film nominees are:
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Outstanding British Film contenders include:
- 28 Years Later
- The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
- Die My Love
- H is for Hawk
- Hamnet
- I Swear
- Mr Burton
- Pillion
- Steve
Films nominated for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer include:
- The Ceremony (Jack King, Hollie Bryan, Lucy Meer)
- My Father’s Shadow (Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies)
- Pillion (Harry Lighton)
- A Want in Her (Myrid Carten)
- Wasteman (Cal McMau, Hunter Andrews, Eoin Doran)
Best Film Not in the English Language nominees are:
- It Was Just an Accident
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sirāt
- The Voice of Hind Rajab
Documentary nominees include:
- 2000 Meters to Andriivka
- Apocalypse in the Tropics
- Cover-Up
- Mr. Nobody Against Putin
- The Perfect Neighbor
Animated Film nods went to:
- Elio
- Little Amélie
- Zootropolis 2
Children’s & Family Film nominees are:
- Arco
- Boong
- Lilo & Stitch
- Zootropolis 2
Leading Actor and Actress Contenders
Leading Actress nominees are Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), and Emma Stone (Bugonia).
Leading Actor nominees include Robert Aramayo (I Swear), Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia).
Supporting Roles and Breakthrough Performances
Supporting Actress contenders are Odessa A’Zion (Marty Supreme), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), Carey Mulligan (The Ballad of Wallis Island), Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another), and Emily Watson (Hamnet).
Supporting Actor nominations went to Benicio Del Toro (One Battle After Another), Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein), Paul Mescal (Hamnet), Peter Mullan (I Swear), Sean Penn (One Battle After Another), and Stellan Skarsgård (Sentimental Value).
First-time nominees across performance categories include several rising actors such as Robert Aramayo, Odessa A’Zion, and Michael B. Jordan, pointing to a vibrant new generation of talent in the film industry.
Creative Categories Highlight Excellence Behind the Scenes
Nominations in casting went to Lauren Evans (I Swear), Jennifer Venditti (Marty Supreme), Cassandra Kulukundis (One Battle After Another), Yngvill Kolset Haga and Avy Kaufman (Sentimental Value), and Francine Maisler (Sinners).
Cinematography honors recognized Dan Laustsen (Frankenstein), Darius Khondji (Marty Supreme), Michael Bauman (One Battle After Another), Autumn Durald Arkapaw (Sinners), and Adolpho Veloso (Train Dreams).
Editing nominees include Stephen Mirrione (F1), Kirk Baxter (A House of Dynamite), Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), Andy Jurgensen (One Battle After Another), and Michael P. Shawver (Sinners).
Costume design nods went to Kate Hawley (Frankenstein), Malgosia Turzanska (Hamnet), Miyako Bellizzi (Marty Supreme), Ruth E. Carter (Sinners), and Paul Tazewell (Wicked: For Good).
Make-Up & Hair candidates are Jordan Samuel, Cliona Furey, Mike Hill, and Megan Many (Frankenstein), Nicole Stafford (Hamnet), Kyra Panchenko, Kay Georgiou, Mike Fontaine (Marty Supreme), Siân Richards, Shunika Terry, Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine (Sinners), and Frances Hannon, Laura Blount, Mark Coulier, Sarah Nuth (Wicked: For Good).
Music and Technical Achievements Recognized
Original Score nominees are Jerskin Fendrix (Bugonia), Alexandre Desplat (Frankenstein), Max Richter (Hamnet), Jonny Greenwood (One Battle After Another), and Ludwig Göransson (Sinners).
Production Design recognized Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau (Frankenstein), Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton (Hamnet), Jack Fisk and Adam Willis (Marty Supreme), Florencia Martin and Anthony Carlino (One Battle After Another), and Hannah Beachler and Monique Champagne (Sinners).
Sound category nominees include Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, and Juan Peralta (F1), Greg Chapman, Nathan Robitallie, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke, Brad Zoem (Frankenstein), Jose Antonio Garcia, Christopher Scarabosio, and Tony Villaflor (One Battle After Another), Chris Welcker, Benny Burtt, Brandon Proctor, Steve Boeddeker, Felipe Pacheco (Sinners), and Mitch Low, Ben Barker, Howard Bargroff, Richard Spooner (Warfare).
Visual Effects and Short Film Categories
The Special Visual Effects nominations are awarded to Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Daniel Barrett, and Eric Saindon (Avatar: Fire and Ash), Ryan Tudhope, Keith Alfred Dawson, Nicolas Chevallier, Robert Harrington (F1), Dennis Berardi, Ayo Burgess, Ivan Busquets, José Granell (Frankenstein), Christian Mänz, Francois Lambert, Glen McIntosh, Terry Palmer (How to Train Your Dragon), and Charlie Noble, Brandon K. McLaughlin, David Zaretti (The Lost Bus).
British Short Animation nominees include Cardboard, Solstice, and Two Black Boys in Paradise.
British Short Film contenders are Magid / Zafar, Nostalgie, Terence, This Is Endometriosis, and Welcome Home Freckles.
EE Rising Star Award Highlights Emerging Talent
The EE BAFTA Rising Star Award nominees, the only BAFTA prize voted for by the British public, are Archie Madekwe (Lurker), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Miles Caton (Sinners), Posy Sterling (Lollipop), and Robert Aramayo (I Swear).
The panel selecting these nominees features respected actors Joe Alwyn, Sheila Atim, and Benedict Wong, along with other industry experts. This accolade is regarded as a launchpad for future Hollywood stars, joining the ranks of past winners like Tom Holland, James McAvoy, Lashana Lynch, Kristen Stewart, Eva Green, and Letitia Wright.
Looking Ahead to the 79th EE BAFTA Film Awards Ceremony
The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards are scheduled for Sunday, February 22, with Alan Cumming as host. The event is expected to celebrate the spectacular range of films, performers, and creators shaping contemporary storytelling. Broadcast will be available on BBC, BBC iPlayer, and internationally, offering global audiences access to this prestigious celebration of cinematic achievement.
