The British Academy Film Awards have revealed their nominations for 2026, setting the stage for an exhilarating competition among cinematic masterpieces. This year's lineup showcases a diverse range of talent and compelling narratives, promising an unforgettable celebration of film.
BAFTA: A Cinematic Duel Unfolds
The Leading Contenders: A Close Race for Top Honors
Paul Thomas Anderson's intense political thriller, 'One Battle After Another,' has emerged as the frontrunner for the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, garnering an impressive 14 nominations. Hot on its heels is Ryan Coogler's captivating vampire tale, 'Sinners,' which secured 13 nods. This sets up a thrilling contest for the prestigious British Academy honors, reflecting the critical acclaim each film has received. Notably, 'Sinners' previously led the Oscar nominations with a record-breaking 16 mentions, compared to 'One Battle After Another's' 13, adding another layer of intrigue to the BAFTA race.
Strong Challengers and Notable Mentions
Beyond the top two, several other films have made a significant impact on the BAFTA nominations. Chloé Zhao's poignant Shakespearean drama, 'Hamnet,' and Josh Safdie's dynamic ping-pong caper, 'Marty Supreme,' each received 11 nominations. Joachim Trier's 'Sentimental Value' and Guillermo del Toro's 'Frankenstein' were also recognized with eight nominations apiece. Yorgos Lanthimos' dark comedy 'Bugonia' and Kirk Jones' 'I Swear,' a dramedy about a Tourette Syndrome advocate, each earned five nominations, highlighting the breadth of cinematic achievement celebrated this year.
Defining the Best: Film, British Film, and Direction
The highly anticipated Best Film category features a strong roster of contenders, including 'Hamnet,' 'Marty Supreme,' 'One Battle After Another,' 'Sentimental Value,' and 'Sinners.' For the Outstanding British Film award, a diverse selection of ten films is vying for the honor, ranging from sequels like '28 Years Later' and 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy' to acclaimed dramas such as 'Hamnet' and 'I Swear.' The Best Director category sees first-time nominees Coogler ('Sinners') and Safdie ('Marty Supreme') competing against established talents like Lanthimos ('Bugonia'), Zhao ('Hamnet'), Anderson ('One Battle After Another'), and Trier ('Sentimental Value').
Recognizing Emerging and Established Talent in Performance
This year's BAFTA nominations also celebrate a fresh wave of talent in the performance categories. Robert Aramayo, Odessa A'zion, Rose Byrne, Chase Infiniti, Michael B. Jordan, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Stellan Skarsgård, and Teyana Taylor are all first-time nominees. They join a distinguished group of actors in the leading and supporting categories, including seasoned performers like Jessie Buckley, Kate Hudson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, Carey Mulligan, and Sean Penn. These nominations highlight both the enduring power of veteran artists and the exciting promise of new faces in the industry.
Crafting Excellence: Technical and Creative Achievements
Beyond the main categories, the BAFTA awards acknowledge the meticulous artistry behind the scenes. Films like 'Wicked: For Good,' despite being overlooked in major Oscar categories, earned two craft nominations for costume design and make-up & hair. Joseph Kosinski's 'F1,' a surprise Oscar Best Film nominee, received three technical BAFTA nods for editing, sound, and special visual effects. The nominations for original and adapted screenplays, casting, cinematography, original score, production design, and short films further underscore the diverse talents contributing to the magic of cinema.
The Road to the Awards Ceremony
The excitement surrounding the BAFTA Film Awards has been building since the longlists were announced earlier this month, with 'One Battle After Another' leading the initial mentions. Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, expressed her congratulations to all nominated teams, emphasizing the power of their storytelling. Sara Putt, chair of BAFTA, highlighted the thrilling mix of British indie films, debut features, and global blockbusters. Following last year's ceremony where 'Conclave' and 'The Brutalist' were significant winners, this year's awards promise new triumphs. The 79th BAFTA Film Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, February 22, at London's Royal Festival Hall, with Scottish actor and host Alan Cumming taking the stage to guide audiences through the evening.
The Grand Reveal: A Full List of Nominees
The full list of nominees for the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, announced by David Jonsson and Aimee Lou Wood in London, showcases a wide array of categories from Best Film and Outstanding British Film to individual honors for acting, directing, and various technical and craft achievements. These nominations represent the pinnacle of cinematic excellence, celebrating both artistic vision and technical mastery across the global film industry.
