For the third consecutive year, the National Gallery provided a stunning backdrop worthy of the film industry’s most inspirational talents for the annual BAFTA Film Awards Nominees’ Party on Saturday 15 February 2025.
Objective
The BAFTA Film Awards Nominees’ Party celebrates British film talent, offering a more intimate and spectacular setting for the nominees. For the third consecutive year, the National Gallery hosted the event, seamlessly blending the cultural heritage of its art with the glamour of cinema, elevating the experience for all in attendance.
Hosted by prestigious sponsor Bvlgari amongst others, the event was designed to create a memorable experience and build anticipation for nominees, their families and publicists the night before the awards ceremony. The venue needed to be not only visually striking but also flexible enough to accommodate the event’s unique demands.
Amongst the distinguished guests were Adrien Brody, Demi Moore, Hugh Grant, Isabella Rossellini, Jeremy Strong, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Sebastian Stan, BAFTA Fellow Warwick Davis, Yura Borisov and EE Rising Star Award-nominees David Jonsson, Jharrel Jerome, Marisa Abela, Mikey Madison and Nabhaan Rizwan, along with many more nominees and industry professionals.
With 750 attendees, the Gallery’s unique spaces were fully utilised, ensuring a seamless flow while preserving the integrity of the historic venue. Each room served a distinct purpose, contributing to the grandeur of the evening.
Execution
With the Gallery closing to the public at 6pm and the event commencing promptly at 7.30pm, the transformation of the venue into a red-carpet spectacle was nothing short of a monumental undertaking. The seamless execution demanded meticulous pre-planning, the coordination of 60 staff members and exceptional organisation, ensuring every detail was perfected for this prestigious occasion.
Venue set up
The Portico Foyer served as the primary entrance with Event Concept/AP&Co cloakroom facilities, a Bvlgari storage area, and floral displays at the bottom pillars. The Mosaic Terrace featured a BAFTA mask display on the middle landing and a dedicated social media moment at the top landing.
The Central Hall, defined by an elevated glass ceiling and lined with rich red walls with a capacity for 200 people, served as the VIP hub and press area, where guests enjoyed meet-and-greets, photobooth sessions, and interactions amongst the paintings in the elegant setting.
The Barry Rooms, with majestic domed ceilings and marble pillars, and capacity for 300, were transformed into a stylish bar area by Event Concept, where guests could mingle and be photographed against an impressive backdrop. To ensure accessibility, it featured a specially designed bar with a lowered section to accommodate wheelchair users.
Room 34, previously adorned with paintings, was left bare due to The Wonder of Art – an ambitious project that will see the Gallery’s collection completely rehung and reimagined. This unique challenge inspired creative solutions, including stunning wall projections of the BAFTA head and Bvlgari logo, as well as a striking Bvlgari photo moment—additions that would not typically be permitted within the historic space.
Room 32 hosted a Don Julio bar with DJ booth and small stage where singer Mabel delivered a performance to a recorded track, complemented by strategically placed speakers and uplighters.
Atmosphere and experience
Luxury florist, Veevers Carter added a magical touch to the décor with bespoke floral designs throughout the venue, further enhancing the ambience of the event.
AV elements played a crucial role in transforming the space, with the AV team from Event Concept working closely with the Gallery’s conservation department to ensure all technical setups, such as lighting and sound, respected the artworks and building. To add a modern twist to the historical setting, a lit pathway replaced the traditional red carpet, minimising waste and keeping sustainability in mind.
Photography was restricted to designated areas due to the Gallery’s policies on the artwork, but this challenge was managed effectively by setting up specific backdrops for photo opportunities, ensuring guests could capture memorable moments during the evening.
Catering was provided by Alison Price & Co, and offered a sustainable standing dinner with canapés and bowl food crafted from produce supplied by local farms, balancing refinement with forward-thinking creativity.
Results
The combination of inspiring cultural décor, flexible spaces and the expertise of the National Gallery’s events team resulted in a stunning and successful event.
Event Producer from BAFTA said: “I wanted to say a huge thank you to the team at the National Gallery for such a successful Nominees’ Party! You all made the experience so easy and everyone enjoyed the magical experience.
“We’ve had such great feedback from staff, board members, our executive team and guests so I couldn’t be happier. They’ve all said how beautiful the venue looked and how smoothly it ran. Thanks again to everyone who had a part to play in the event’s success!”
By creating a memorable evening, the National Gallery has further solidified its reputation as an iconic venue for prestigious and inspirational events, ensuring its continued role as host for the BAFTA celebration in 2026.
