Joanna Lumley returns for the second year to host the BAFTA ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall featuring a performance from Cirque du Soleil.
The start of the new year means one thing: award season will soon be underway!
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced 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.”Â
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 on Thursday 3rd January and the nominations for the EE British Academy Film Awards will be announced on Wednesday 9rd January 2019.
