As the Baftas 2026 approach, film critics and enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating which cinematic masterpieces will take home the prestigious awards. Peter Bradshaw, a renowned critic, has unveiled his predictions, offering a detailed forecast of the likely winners, the deserving contenders, and those films that might have been overlooked in the nominations.
Top Categories and Frontrunners
In the highly competitive Best Film category, Bradshaw predicts that One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson's ICE age conspiracy thriller, will clinch the award. However, he believes that Hamnet should rightfully win, praising its emotional depth and stellar performances. The critic also notes that The Secret Agent was a notable omission, deserving a spot among the contenders.
Directorial Excellence
For Best Director, Bradshaw expects Paul Thomas Anderson to secure the award for his work on One Battle After Another, a film that has generated significant buzz. He concurs that Anderson should win, highlighting his visionary storytelling. Kleber Mendonça Filho, director of The Secret Agent, is mentioned as a should-have-been contender, underscoring the tough competition this year.
British Talent and International Films
In the Outstanding British Debut category, Pillion is tipped to win, though Bradshaw argues that My Father's Shadow deserves the accolade. Brides is noted as a missed opportunity for nomination. For Best British Film, The Ballad of Wallis Island is predicted to win and should win, with The Choral highlighted as an overlooked gem.
Among films not in the English language, Sentimental Value is forecast to win, but Bradshaw advocates for The Secret Agent as the rightful victor, with The Ice Tower mentioned as a strong contender that didn't make the cut.
Acting Awards and Technical Categories
In the acting categories, Timothée Chalamet is predicted to win Best Leading Actor for Marty Supreme, though Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon is deemed more deserving. Jessie Buckley is expected to triumph in Best Leading Actress for Hamnet, a role Bradshaw praises as exceptional.
For supporting roles, Stellan Skarsgård in Sentimental Value is tipped for Best Supporting Actor, while Peter Mullan in I Swear is highlighted as the should-win choice. Teyana Taylor in One Battle After Another is predicted to win Best Supporting Actress, with Sunita Rajwar and Fiona Shaw noted as strong alternatives.
Technical awards see Sinners favored for Best Original Score, and Autumn Durald Arkapaw predicted to win Best Cinematography for the same film. In documentary, 2000 Meters to Adriivka is expected to win, with Colossal Wreck mentioned as a contender.
Rising Star and Final Thoughts
The Rising Star Award is likely to go to Miles Caton, whom Bradshaw also believes should win, citing Tut Nyuot as a noteworthy contender. Overall, these predictions paint a picture of a fiercely competitive Baftas 2026, with One Battle After Another and Hamnet leading the charge, but many films deserving recognition in a year of exceptional cinema.
