Joanna Lumley returns for the second year to host the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall featuring a performance from Cirque du Soleil

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced today that the EE British Academy Film Awards will be hosted by Joanna Lumley for the second time and held at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, taking place on Sunday 10 February 2019 and broadcast on BBC One and BBC One HD.

BAFTA has also announced that, for the third year, the EE British Academy Film Awards will feature entertainment company Cirque de Soleil, which will be in residence at the Royal Albert Hall at the time of the Awards with its latest show to tour the UK, Totem. Cirque de Soleil will perform a piece especially created for the ceremony.

Emma Baehr, Director of awards at BAFTA said "We’re delighted to be returning to the iconic Royal Albert Hall for the third year and collaborating again with Cirque du Soleil. We’re thrilled that Joanna has agreed to return as our host for a second year, she was fantastic and we’re looking forward to the ceremony with her once again at the helm."

Lucy Noble, Artistic Director at the Royal Albert Hall, said “We’re delighted to welcome the EE BAFTAs to the Hall for the third successive year – from legendary filmmakers to beloved stars, Hollywood royalty to national treasures, they’ll all pass through the doors of Sir Alfred Hitchcock’s favourite venue. This glittering, star-studded event has become one of the most hotly-anticipated events in our calendar and, following another year of extraordinary movies, we can’t wait to play host to the British film industry’s night of celebration.”

Daniel Lamarre, President & CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group said “It is with great honor that we will be a part of the BAFTA ceremony for the third consecutive year. Film, with all of its fascinating facets, continually nourishes and inspires us, and we are thrilled to help celebrate British and international artists from around the world at this year’s BAFTA Awards.”

The EE Rising Star nominations are announced tomorrow, Thursday 3 January and the nominations for the EE British Academy Film Awards will be announced on Wednesday 9 January 2019.

About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. Goto BAFTA Guru for advice and inspiration from the best creative minds in working in film, games and television.

About the Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is the world’s most famous stage. Over the past 144 years, it has hosted everyone from Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein and Edward Elgar to The Beatles, Bob Dylan and Adele. Last year, its breathtaking auditorium presented 388 events by the world’s greatest performers – taking in rock, pop and classical music, dance, films, Cirque du Soleil and even tennis – with the magical setting and inspired artists creating amazing memories for audiences.

Opened in 1871 to fulfil Prince Albert’s vision of a central hall to promote the arts and sciences, the Hall is a registered charity that remains true to his founding ambitions within a modern context. It hosts over 400 events a year in its secondary space, the Elgar Room, and beyond, broadening the Hall’s appeal to incorporate younger and more diverse audiences. Its Education & Outreach programme reaches more than 150,000 participants each year, working with schools, young people and the community, as well as other charities such as Music for Youth, as part of its extensive public benefit remit. 

About Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil is primarily a creative content provider for a wide variety of unique projects. In addition to shows, the company, which has its International Headquarters in Montreal, extends its creative talent to other spheres of activity. While maintaining stringent standards of artistic quality and originality, Cirque du Soleil brings to innovative projects the same energy and spirit that characterize each of its shows.

Cirque du Soleil is a Québec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. Since its beginnings in 1984, almost 160 million spectators in over 400 cities in 60 countries have been thrilled by Cirque du Soleil. In 2018, 19 shows are being simultaneously presented around the world. Cirque du Soleil has been the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Emmy, Drama Desk, Bambi, ACE, Gémeaux, Félix and Rose d'Or de Montreux.