The International Booker Prize 2026 is set to captivate audiences with a dazzling array of short films featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment. Toby Jones, Indira Varma, and Toheeb Jimoh are among the prominent stars who will bring the shortlisted novels to life through compelling performances.
A Prestigious Literary Honour
The International Booker Prize is an annual literary award that celebrates the finest works of fiction translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland. With a substantial £50,000 prize at stake, it recognises outstanding contributions to global literature and promotes cross-cultural storytelling.
Star-Studded Line-Up Revealed
Joining Jones, Varma, and Jimoh in this creative endeavour are Kae Alexander, Jehnny Beth, and Xelia Mendes-Jones. This talented ensemble will appear in a series of short films, each performing extracts from the six novels that have made the prestigious shortlist. The films were expertly directed by Holly Blakey and filmed at the iconic Southbank Centre in London.
Novels and Performers Paired
Toby Jones, renowned for his role in the Harry Potter film series, will perform an extract from The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated from German by Ross Benjamin. Indira Varma will bring to life a passage from The Witch by Marie NDiaye, translated from French by Jordan Stump.
Toheeb Jimoh, celebrated for his performance in Ted Lasso, will read from The Nights Are Quiet In Tehran by Shida Bazyar, translated from German by Ruth Martin. Kae Alexander will perform an extract from Taiwan Travelogue by Yang Shuang-zi, translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin King.
Jehnny Beth, the French musician and actress, will recite from She Who Remains by Rene Karabash, translated from Bulgarian by Izidora Angel. Xelia Mendes-Jones will present a passage from On Earth As It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated from Portuguese by Padma Viswanathan.
Building on a Successful Legacy
The Booker Prize Foundation first launched its short film series in 2022, featuring notable figures such as Stormzy, Dua Lipa, Adjoa Andoh, and Will Poulter. This innovative campaign aims to engage readers with exceptional fiction through the medium of film, effectively creating trailers for books.
Director and Foundation Insights
Holly Blakey expressed her delight in directing the shorts, describing the process as a joy and emphasising her enjoyment in finding new homes for the words to live in. Gaby Wood, Chief Executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, highlighted the success of the initiative, noting that the videos have amassed millions of views online and inspired countless readers to explore the shortlisted books.
Wood stated, It's four years since we first produced a series of shorts featuring high-profile performers, with the aim of engaging readers with great fiction. Each year these videos, which we think of as film trailers for books, have led countless more people to read the shortlisted books for the Booker Prizes.
Release and Celebration Details
The short films will be released online on April 16, 2026. Additionally, they will be showcased during a special event at the Southbank Centre on May 8, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Booker Prize. The winner of the International Booker Prize 2026 will be announced on May 19 at a ceremony held at the Tate Modern in London.
Wood added, I can't wait to see how they are received and hope they entice scores more people to pick up the shortlist. This initiative continues to bridge the gap between literature and visual media, offering a unique platform for celebrated works of translated fiction.
