---
title: "In pictures: Elegance and restraint on the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards red carpet"
description: "Held at Royal Festival Hall on 22 February 2026, the EE BAFTA Film Awards' top honours, including Best Film and leading acting awards, signalled a shift toward intimate, character-driven narratives over franchise spectacle. One Battle After Another won Best Film."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "PHOTO ESSAY"
author: "Maverick Life Editors"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/maverick-life-editors/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-02-23-in-pictures-elegance-and-restraint-on-the-2026-ee-bafta-film-awards-red-carpet/"
published: "2026-02-23T07:00:12"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 895
---

# In pictures: Elegance and restraint on the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards red carpet

> Held at Royal Festival Hall on 22 February 2026, the EE BAFTA Film Awards' top honours, including Best Film and leading acting awards, signalled a shift toward intimate, character-driven narratives over franchise spectacle. One Battle After Another won Best Film.

By Maverick Life Editors · Published 23 February 2026, 09:00 SAST

## Content

![The Prince And Princess Of Wales Attend The 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/c7nnBY4KZou16q06NuxFAAJm6go=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262489480_932972.jpg)

*Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, arrive with Jane Millichip, CEO of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London Ken Olisa to the BAFTA Film Awards 2026, at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jaimi Joy - WPA Pool/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/U9N8En2FSMUrPtmkjP-WMqr8048=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262962879_993843.jpg)

*Alicia Vikander attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/sjYDrwAT5rbrPnawVuT7THDkpwQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262988447_916929.jpg)

*Teyana Taylor attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Di9C1s5nVvVE3OWfWnCZLPUAxwE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/MichaelBJordan_BAFTAs_918955.jpg)

*Michael B. Jordan attends the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/VSXHpP7RLIzbFw-JxVt8NaVZQIg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262988333_996971.jpg)

*Erin Doherty attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/LEVDT_bIKGmfNCpsIEZGkCYXgh0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262987197_352441.jpg)

*Sadie Sink attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/kaDCY8mHqIvQ5NDmsS1J5kX-e_Y=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262979259_170883.jpg)

*Rose Byrne attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/T6U0AdTBqK6W0Xtm0KDGXSrl8hc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262964944_502955.jpg)

*Monica Bellucci attends the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ube-IhHRoNbiBkQWhdDsNzhi3zg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263029166_541000.jpg)

*(L-R) Archie Madekwe, Kate Hudson and Danny Fujikawa attend the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/e08GAqpFqkuqjT1zdfMIIeq9RHE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263029134_749550.jpg)

*Stormzy attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ZNbYIghwBP7Ha2SEJ4-TMIH7Xzs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263014784_525782.jpg)

*Gillian Anderson attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/bfX7khETYFUvZYX0hfhOrjL9t2A=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263027552_399862.jpg)

*Taaha Shah attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)*

![Sheila Atim attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/onpOblx4Gh8I_Jj0svJcAVCw_Uk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262990261_746377.jpg)

*Sheila Atim attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/GnHWT5gPmj21Y9d3UCEAkvQJBEg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262989470_312325.jpg)

*Chase Infiniti attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/YsACjUVaoNf1KaTb-pXFUk4ewVM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262988901_270262.jpg)

*Aimee Lou Wood attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/OSpgPS5JYVaRhhrSOKHBvcbNAOE=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262988704_660149.jpg)

*Jessie Buckley attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/2cpCOVh0D7fa9LHqJKgCjcGwukw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2262988621_186836.jpg)

*Timothée Chalamet attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![Alan Cumming attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/UNiYaR8aJ8Kp-CmHdZjASu-2jZ0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263067467_181226.jpg)

*Alan Cumming attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![Milly Alcock attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/LXD0qTqKuxqQAZMas6RByH_cXIw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263066058_738899.jpg)

*Milly Alcock attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/dUcPv9zI0jQ4bV1fehsyIMQKD4Y=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263066197_954122.jpg)

*Posy Sterling attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/xazEI29cKfhFaNd42mroGLWgvbg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263066401_966084.jpg)

*Kate Hudson attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/t4VrpjpW02xIdJIVvrC4L79wrWo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263066438_860956.jpg)

*(L-R) Rei Ami, EJAE, Audrey Nuna attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/iivgT7DTxIYeZeB8Dnsz6037FPY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263065464_975765.jpg)

*Chloé Zhao attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/eDCADdAfRSPDtljQeahEp5ozIQI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263064101_126016.jpg)

*Kerry Washington attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/RnV1bBsaknP9YLoGBhsxBIJla9s=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263063253_709343.jpg)

*Jesse Plemons and Kirsten Dunst attend the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/nkJ96tOldd9yXa3Q7kLgAIORiNo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263063243_151555.jpg)

*Emma Stone attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/RDUq8XpKjmxK8Uxq-UGSxeP4VzQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263063189_997500.jpg)

*Benicio Del Toro attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/XTTjizm4V6VNr8_LvGs7cj__6kY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263063144_190364.jpg)

*Glenn Close attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/exW_A2LBI93yy9-nEDA4CThT4nQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263062999_826111.jpg)

*Maggie Gyllenhaal attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/b8uzpMqNRzm9VZOT3tvVdqr6m-g=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263034870_323289.jpg)

*Hannah Beachler attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/C2P_PzORqaUYXe34xwwE0IjD4Vo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263029231_448539.jpg)

*Emma Stone attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/GuZDcHBHgZhrBDN9KttZQ96RVSc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263029197_717876.jpg)

*Maura Higgins attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)*

![2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards - Arrivals](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/uCyQRBLVrCOXMPsjAoMVFpcfn0o=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/attachments/2988/GettyImages-2263029180_696810.jpg)

*Hannah Waddingham attends the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)*