Beyond the glitz and glam, the BAFTAs are a night of celebration and camaraderie in the entertainment world – and the giddy atmosphere was in full force on Sunday night.
One month ahead of the Oscars, Hollywood descended on London’s Royal Festival Hall to celebrate the standout films of 2025. It was a landmark evening for Sinners and One Battle After Another, with Ryan Coogler making history as the first Black winner in his category, while Hamnet picked up two awards including Outstanding British Film.
But while eager-eyed viewers at home soaked up every on-screen moment, there’s always some bits you don’t get to see – that’s where I come in. From the red carpet buzz to candid, emotional reactions that never made the broadcast, here’s what really went on inside the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards.
On the red caret
The BAFTA red carpet is vast and labyrinthine, winding from the fan-lined exterior into a packed press marquee inside. From my vantage point, a steady stream of familiar faces passed through, from Jessie Buckley, Leo Dicaprio, Aimee Lou Wood and Joe Alwyn to Minnie Driver, Robert Aramayo and Erin Doherty.
Rising Star nominee Chase Infinity beamed as she waved to onlookers while being ushered through the crowd, while Sinners breakout Miles Caton and Hamnet stars Noah and Jacobi Juke were all representing young Hollywood.
As for the more seasoned award-goers, Leonardo DiCaprio spared a wave as he followed his security (at least two stationed in front and one behind him), while Ethan Hawke and Bryan Cranston made their way through towards the end of the carpet’s run.
Candid moments
Despite appearances, the red carpet can be overwhelming and, at times, very chaotic. So it was oddly fitting when Marty Supreme actress Odessa A’zion dropped into a crouch mid-carpet to check her makeup in the front lens of her camera. Fiddling with her fringe, she turned, clocked a few of us watching and pulled a mock-sad face. “Oh, God,” she sighed, before giving a small wave and adding: “Hi!”
Elsewhere, Joe Alwyn was overheard asking a fellow guest: “Are you going to ‘onwards’ after?” while former Rising Star winner Mia McKenna-Bruce chatted excitedly about the Champagne awaiting guests inside.
Date night
It may have been a week post-Valentine’s, but the couples were out in full force. Among the starry pairs were Jennifer Goodwin and Josh Dallas (who stood diligently behind his wife as she spoke about her work on Zootopia 2), while Kate Hudson and Danny Fujikawa looked at ease as they leisurely strolled arm-in-arm.
Paul Mescal and Gracie Abrmas spared a shy smile with their fingers tightly interlocked as they wandered through, while Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale clasped hands as they exited the carpet.
© BAFTA via Getty ImagesSpencer Matthews and Vogue Williams were also in high spirits when they stopped to chat to me, reflecting on how excited they were to see Stormzy, Benicio Del Toro and, of course, Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner – the latter jokingly dubbed Vogue’s “boyfriend” by Spencer.
© Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty ImA royal arrival
One of the night’s standout moments came with the arrival of Prince William and Princess Kate. Around 15 minutes beforehand, the entire red carpet was shut down, with even the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Joe Alwyn politely ushered from the marquee.
When the couple finally arrived, a rare hush fell over the room as they made their way through the carpet before heading out to greet fans waiting beyond it.
© WireImageInside the winners’ room
It was a huge night for Sinners, with Ryan Coogler collecting awards for Best Original Screenplay and Original Score, and Wunmi Mosaku winning Best Supporting Actor. In the winners’ room, an emotional Wunmi reflected on her win. “It always feels good to walk into a room and know you’re not the only one,” she said, paying tribute to Ryan for being someone who “credits everyone”. After leaving the stage, she joined journalists and smiled as she watched his speech on the screen.
© Getty Images for BAFTAWhen host Alan announced the leading actor and actress categories with a cry of “Leading actors, wake up, wake up – it’s your turn now!”, the room erupted as Robert Aramayo, already the evening’s EE Rising Star, was revealed as the Leading Actor winner for I Swear, beating Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and Ethan Hawke.
“I honestly cannot believe I’ve won this award,” he said, scanning the crowd as his dad loudly cheered him on. Out of everyone, he was the happiest to be in the winner’s room, eagerly waving to the crowd of journalists as he walked out – the very picture of someone floating on cloud nine.
© Mike Marsland/WireImageFavourite BTS moment
Sometimes the best behind-the-scenes moments come when you least expect them. Mine happened as I was leaving the venue, after being ushered past the circular tables where guests were settling in for dinner – featuring dishes from roasted maple pumpkin rolls and celeriac and apple mille-feuille to truffle chicken with a mushroom pithivier and caramelised leek and pumpkin pithivier, followed by popcorn and chocolate mousse sundaes and lemon and white chocolate meringue.
© Getty Images for BAFTAWaiting for security to open the barriers, I noticed someone crouched down, chatting quietly to a fan through the railings. It was Gracie Abrams. Cigarette in hand, she spoke warmly to the fan, telling passers-by that he was a “real one”. As she finally stood to leave, she smiled and said: “See you next tour!”
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