Paddington Bear Set to Attend and Present at BAFTA Film Awards

Hollywood Reporter

by Lily Ford

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Paddington Bear is set to make history at the upcoming BAFTA Film Awards in 2026, where he will present the award for best children & family film. This marks a unique moment as Paddington’s inclusion is largely due to the success of *Paddington The Musical*, currently running at London’s Savoy Theatre. The musical has garnered significant attention, with Arti Shah portraying the beloved character on stage and James Hameed providing voice and animation for the bear’s facial expressions. This addition of a much-loved British icon to the event highlights the celebration of UK cinema and entertainment. The 2026 BAFTA Film Awards will feature four nominees in the best children & family film category: *Arco*, *Boong*, *Lilo & Stitch*, and *Zootropolis 2*. Alongside Paddington, a stellar lineup of presenters includes Aimee Lou Wood, Bryan Cranston, Cillian Murphy, and many others. The event will also feature performances by KPop Demon Hunters, marking their debut outside the U.S., and Jessie Ware’s rendition of Barbra Streisand

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/19/2026