The nominations for the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards were announced on February 7 in London, highlighting a competitive landscape for this year’s honors. Paul Thomas Anderson’s political thriller One Battle After Another leads the nominations with an impressive 14 nods, just ahead of Ryan Coogler’s vampire film Sinners, which received 13 nominations. This follows the recent Oscar nominations, where Sinners achieved a record-breaking 16 nominations compared to One Battle After Another’s 13 nods.
Other films making significant strides include Chloé Zhao’s emotional drama Hamnet and Josh Safdie’s light-hearted caper Marty Supreme, both of which garnered 11 nominations each. Notable films such as Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein received 8 nominations, while Yorgos Lanthimos’ black comedy Bugonia and Kirk Jones’ dramedy I Swear were recognized with 5 nominations each.
In the prestigious Best Film category, the contenders are Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sentimental Value, and Sinners. The Outstanding British Film category features an array of titles including 28 Years Later, The Ballad of Wallis Island, and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy among others.
The nominations also spotlight first-time nominees in the directing category, with Coogler and Safdie joining established directors like Yorgos Lanthimos and Chloé Zhao. The Best Director race includes Paul Thomas Anderson and Joachim Trier, both recognized for their compelling cinematic narratives.
First-time nominees in the performance categories highlight the evolving landscape of talent in the film industry. Actors such as Robert Aramayo, Odessa A’zion, and Michael B. Jordan have received nominations, showcasing a fresh wave of performances. In the leading actress category, Rose Byrne and Chase Infiniti compete alongside seasoned actresses Jessie Buckley and Emma Stone.
In terms of supporting performances, nominees include A’zion, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Teyana Taylor, demonstrating the depth of talent within this year’s selections. Notable names like Stellan Skarsgård and Benicio Del Toro round out the competition in the supporting actor category, revealing a mix of established and emerging talent.
Additionally, the film Wicked: For Good, which did not receive any Oscar nominations, is competing in two craft categories: costume design and make-up & hair. Unfortunately, several high-profile films, including Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice, were shut out from BAFTA nominations, replicating their Oscar fate.
Surprisingly, Joseph Kosinski’s film F1, nominated for an Oscar for Best Film, secured three BAFTA nominations in technical categories, highlighting its achievements in editing and special visual effects.
Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the nominations, stating, “Huge congratulations to the teams behind the 46 superb films nominated today. They showcase the very best of storytelling and its ability to engage, entertain and provoke debate.” In a similar vein, BAFTA Chair Sara Putt emphasized the representation of British indie films alongside major blockbusters, marking it as an exceptional year for innovative storytelling.
The 79th BAFTA Film Awards will take place on February 22, 2026, at the Royal Festival Hall in London. This year, the ceremony will see Scottish actor, writer, and host Alan Cumming take the reins after David Tennant hosted for the past two years. The anticipation surrounding the event is palpable as audiences await the revelation of this year’s winners.
As the awards approach, the film industry holds its breath to see which films and performances will be celebrated. The full list of nominations for the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards can be found on the BAFTA website, showcasing the diverse talent and storytelling that has emerged in the past year.
