Hamnet's Bafta Triumph: British Film Shines After Oscars Snub
In a remarkable turnaround for British cinema, the film Hamnet has secured an impressive 11 nominations at the 2026 Bafta Film Awards, marking a triumphant moment after being largely overlooked at the Oscars. The nominations were announced today in London during a livestream event hosted by actors David Jonsson and Aimee Lou Wood, revealing a strong showing for both British and international productions.
Leading the Pack
The competition for Bafta glory is fierce this year, with One Battle After Another leading the overall nominations with 14 nods. Close behind is Sinners with 13 nominations, while Marty Supreme and Hamnet both received 11 nominations each. Other notable contenders include Frankenstein with eight nominations and I Swear with five.
This year's nominations have made history in several significant ways. Hamnet has become the most-nominated film from a female director in Bafta history, while Sinners holds the same distinction for films directed by Black filmmakers. These milestones highlight the growing diversity and recognition within the British film industry.
Notable Nominations and Surprises
For many fans, the most satisfying nomination comes in the Best Supporting Actor category, where Paul Mescal has been recognized for his performance in Hamnet. This represents a significant vindication after his surprising omission from the Oscars nominations announced earlier this week. However, the Bafta nominations have brought their own surprises, with London-born actor Delroy Lindo failing to secure a nomination despite his Oscars nod, while Peter Mullan received recognition for I Swear instead.
Other unexpected omissions include Amy Madigan, who was considered a favorite for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Weapons, and Elle Fanning, who missed out on a nomination for Sentimental Value. The Bafta longlists released in early January had already hinted at some of these developments, with One Battle After Another appearing 16 times, followed by Hamnet and Sinners with 14 mentions each.
Historical Context and Eligibility Issues
The most nominated film in Bafta history remains Sir Richard Attenborough's 1982 drama Gandhi, which received 16 nominations and won five awards. The record for most wins by a single film belongs to 1969's Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with nine awards.
This year's nominations have also highlighted some significant differences between Bafta and Oscars voting patterns. Confirmed Oscar nominee Wagner Moura, who recently won a Golden Globe, was not longlisted by Bafta, indicating clear divergence in the acting categories. Additionally, the popular animated film KPop Demon Hunters has been ruled ineligible for Bafta consideration due to its straight-to-streaming release on Netflix, despite its dominance in other awards categories.
The Road to the Ceremony
The 2026 Bafta Film Awards will take place in London on Sunday, February 22nd, with actor Alan Cumming taking over hosting duties from David Tennant, who presided over the ceremonies in 2024 and 2025. As the last major awards body to announce its film nominations for the season, Bafta's choices provide the final word before the awards season reaches its climax.
The full list of nominations reveals a strong year for British filmmaking, with multiple homegrown productions receiving recognition across various categories. From outstanding British film to debut achievements, the nominations showcase the depth and diversity of talent working in the UK film industry today.
