The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has unveiled the highly anticipated longlist for its 2026 Film Awards, setting the stage for one of the industry's most prestigious nights. A total of 221 films were submitted for consideration, with the longlisted entries now progressing to the crucial nominating stage of voting.
The Frontrunners Emerge
Leading the charge is the epic drama One Battle After Another, which has secured a place on the longlist in an impressive 16 categories. These include the top honours of Best Film, Director, Leading Actress for Chase Infiniti, and Leading Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio. This positions Paul Thomas Anderson's film as the one to beat when the final nominations are decided.
Hot on its heels are two major contenders, each appearing in 14 categories. The recently released literary adaptation Hamnet, starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, has made a significant impact. It is joined by Ryan Coogler's Sinners, demonstrating its broad appeal across the board. Other notable performances include Marty Supreme with 13 category listings, Frankenstein with 12, and the musical Wicked: For Good featuring in eight.
Key Dates and Voting Process
The journey to the BAFTA ceremony involves several critical steps. The longlist announcement marks the end of the first round. Round two of voting will now commence, where members of the Academy will whittle down these longlists to determine the final nominations. The official shortlist is scheduled to be revealed on Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
Following this, the grand EE BAFTA Film Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, 22 February 2026. This star-studded event remains a highlight of the global awards season, celebrating excellence in British and international cinema.
Full Longlist Highlights
The competition spans all major award categories, showcasing a diverse range of cinematic talent. In the coveted Best Film category, the ten longlisted titles are:
- The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Bugonia
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- I Swear
- Marty Supreme
- Nuremberg
- One Battle After Another
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
The Outstanding British Film category features a strong slate of 15 homegrown productions, including 28 Years Later, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Hamnet, and Warfare.
The directing category is a showcase of renowned auteurs, with the longlist including:
- Yorgos Lanthimos for Bugonia
- Lynne Ramsay for Die My Love
- Chloé Zhao for Hamnet
- Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another
- Ryan Coogler for Sinners
The acting categories are brimming with star power. The Leading Actress longlist sees Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Jennifer Lawrence (Die My Love), Emma Stone (Bugonia), and Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue) in contention. For Leading Actor, names like Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Cillian Murphy (Steve), and Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) are in the running.
The supporting categories are equally competitive, featuring performances from Ariana Grande, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jacob Elordi, Paul Mescal, and Andrew Scott, among others.
What Comes Next for the BAFTA Awards?
The publication of the BAFTA longlist offers the first concrete snapshot of the awards race. It highlights which films have resonated most strongly with the Academy's voting membership across its numerous chapters. The coming weeks of campaigning and final voting will be decisive. All eyes now turn to the nomination announcement on 27 January, which will finalise the line-up for the ceremony in February and solidify the frontrunners for the coveted BAFTA masks.
