The 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards nominations were announced on Tuesday at BAFTA’s London headquarters, highlighting a groundbreaking moment for director Ryan Coogler. His historical horror film Sinners earned 13 nominations, marking Coogler and lead actor Michael B. Jordan’s first BAFTA nods, signaling a significant shift in the British awards landscape as the ceremony approaches.
2026 EE BAFTA Nominations Announced from London Headquarters
The path to the UK’s premier film awards began with an eagerly awaited global livestream from BAFTA’s emblematic 195 Piccadilly location. Hosted by David Jonsson and Aimee Lou Wood, the event unveiled this year’s nominations via BAFTA’s YouTube channel, bringing together fans and film professionals worldwide to engage with the awards season’s early revelations.
Dominating the nominations was Paul Thomas Anderson’s political satire One Battle After Another, which topped the list with 14 nods distributed across top categories such as Best Film, Director, prestigious acting awards, and multiple craft honors. Its broad recognition establishes it as a leading contender.
Following closely, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners achieved 13 nominations, underscoring a historic accomplishment as both Coogler and star Michael B. Jordan receive their first BAFTA considerations. This nomination haul boosts the film’s profile ahead of the February ceremony.
Films Hamnet and Marty Supreme each earned 11 nominations, reflecting strong appreciation in areas spanning acting, screenplay, and technical achievements. Hamnet in particular has been embraced as a benchmark for British cinema success, notably as the most-nominated film directed by a woman this year with Chloé Zhao’s adaptation sweeping major categories.
The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, 22 February, with Alan Cumming slated as host. UK audiences will be able to watch the event live on BBC One and stream it via BBC iPlayer. Additionally, public voting remains open for the EE Rising Star Award, the only category decided by popular vote, with the winner announced during the event.
Leading Film and Director Contenders This Year
Among Best Film nominees, Hamnet stands out with producers including Steven Spielberg, Sam Mendes, and Maggie O’Farrell, highlighting its transatlantic collaboration and wide appeal. Also nominated are Marty Supreme, featuring Timothée Chalamet, Anthony Katagas, and Josh Safdie; One Battle After Another, spearheaded by Paul Thomas Anderson; Sentimental Value; and Sinners, co-produced by Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler.
The Outstanding British Film category features diverse entries such as Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later, The Ballad of Wallis Island by James Griffiths, and the acclaimed adaptation Hamnet by Chloé Zhao. Other nominees include Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Die My Love produced by Martin Scorsese and Jennifer Lawrence, and the compelling H Is for Hawk.
Best Film Not in the English Language has five nominees, including Swiss, French, and Middle Eastern entries like Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident and Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab, reflecting BAFTA’s inclusive recognition of international cinema.
Chloé Zhao and Ryan Coogler both secured nominations in the Best Director category, alongside Paul Thomas Anderson, Yorgos Lanthimos for Bugonia, Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme, and Joachim Trier for Sentimental Value.
Outstanding Acting Nominees Across Categories
The Leading Actor race includes Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme, and Jesse Plemons representing Bugonia. Robert Aramayo’s role in I Swear and Ethan Hawke’s performance in Blue Moon complete this competitive lineup.
Best Actress nominations feature Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, Rose Byrne in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson’s role in Song Sung Blue, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value, and Emma Stone in Bugonia.
Supporting roles have also garnered attention with Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn nominated for One Battle After Another, Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein, Paul Mescal for Hamnet, Peter Mullan in I Swear, and Stellan Skarsgård for Sentimental Value in the Best Supporting Actor category.
The Best Supporting Actress nominations list includes Wunmi Mosaku for Sinners, Odessa A’zion in Marty Supreme, Carey Mulligan for The Ballad of Wallis Island, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value, Emily Watson in Hamnet, and Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another.
Community Engagement Through the EE Rising Star Award
The public can still vote for the EE Rising Star Award among nominees like Robert Aramayo from I Swear, Miles Caton of Sinners, Chase Infiniti in One Battle After Another, Archie Madekwe for Lurker, and Posy Sterling in Lollipop. This category uniquely invites the audience to influence BAFTA honors.
Debut Filmmakers Earning Recognition This Year
The Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer category includes impressive works such as The Ceremony by Jack King, My Father’s Shadow directed by Akinola Davies Jr., and Pillion by Harry Lighton. Other nominees like A Want in Her and Wasteman showcase emerging talent shaping the future of British film.
Diverse Screenplay Nominations Highlight Writer Contributions
Original Screenplay contenders include Ryan Coogler’s work on Sinners, Kirk Jones for I Swear, Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie’s collaborative effort on Marty Supreme, along with nominations for Sentimental Value and The Secret Agent. Adapted Screenplay nominees feature Hamnet, The Ballad of Wallis Island, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another.
Music and Sound Nominations Celebrate Technical Excellence
Ludwig Göransson’s score for Sinners stands among other Best Original Score candidates such as Jonny Greenwood for One Battle After Another, Max Richter for Hamnet, and Alexandre Desplat for Frankenstein. Sound categories recognize outstanding teams behind productions like F1, Frankenstein, and Sinners, demonstrating BAFTA’s emphasis on immersive audio craftsmanship.
Visual, Design, and Craftsmanship Categories Showcase Artistic Innovation
Cinematography nods highlight Autumn Durald Arkapaw’s work on Sinners, Dan Laustsen’s expertise in Frankenstein, and Michael Bauman for One Battle After Another. Production and costume design nominations reflect meticulous attention to detail with Hannah Beachler and Ruth E. Carter contributing to Sinners, among others.
Makeup and hair teams received recognition for their contributions to films like Frankenstein, Hamnet, and Sinners. Visual effects nominations feature technical teams from spectacular projects including Avatar: Fire and Ash and Frankenstein, highlighting the incredible behind-the-scenes artistry driving today’s cinema.
Short-Form Films and Animation Celebrate Emerging Narratives
BAFTA’s short film categories bring attention to rising talents with nominees such as Magid/Zafar, Nostalgie, and This Is Endometriosis. The animation section highlights creative works like Elio, Little Amélie, and Zootropolis 2, illustrating the vibrant storytelling in short formats.
Significance and Anticipation Ahead of the 2026 Ceremony
Ryan Coogler’s historic 13 nominations for Sinners not only establish him as a formidable voice within the British awards circuit but also mark a new era for inclusivity and recognition of diverse narratives at BAFTA. His first nomination, alongside Michael B. Jordan’s leading actor nod, draws considerable attention to the influence of contemporary historical and horror genres.
The close competition with Paul Thomas Anderson’s 14 nods and Chloé Zhao’s record-setting achievements for female directors suggests a dynamic ceremony that embraces a wide spectrum of storytelling and cinematic craft. The results on 22 February will reflect industry trends and perhaps signal shifting priorities in film art and recognition.
With public participation through the Rising Star award and a rich slate of new talent honored in debut and short film categories, BAFTA 2026 stands as both a celebration and a harbinger of cinema’s evolving landscape globally and within Britain.
“The road to Britain’s biggest night in film officially began today as the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 nominations were unveiled during a global livestream from BAFTA’s iconic headquarters at 195 Piccadilly, London.”
– David Jonsson, Host
“Voting is now open for the EE Rising Star Award, the only BAFTA category voted for by the public. Audiences can cast their votes now at ee.co.uk/BAFTA, with the winner to be announced during the ceremony.”
– Aimee Lou Wood, Host
