Inside London’s Most Exclusive Celebrity Hangout

For Leonardo DiCaprio, Julianne Moore, and more celebrities heading to the BAFTA Awards this weekend, the night before the ceremony will be the most glittering, exclusive event — when British brand and talent agent Charles Finch throws his annual pre-BAFTA party. For 16 years Finch has hosted beautiful, famous friends like Meryl Streep and Mick Jagger, who gather around tiny tables at the posh London nightclub Annabel’s. Hosted with Chanel, the soirée is a rare, relaxing celebrity affair in which award nominees are not yet winners or losers.

The new book The Night Before BAFTA, out next month from Assouline, is a behind-the-scenes look at this tony event, tracing the story of Finch’s legendary party from the beginning with photographs of the biggest names in film at the event over the years. Click ahead to step into the party with Ben Affleck, Tom Cruise, Diane Kruger, Heath Ledger, Tom Ford, and so many more famous guests.