Hamnet Leads with 11 Nominations at 2026 BAFTA Awards

The 2026 BAFTA Awards have announced a record-breaking 11 nominations for Chloé Zhao‘s film Hamnet, including a nod for Best Film. This achievement marks the highest number of nominations for a film directed by a woman, underscoring the growing recognition of female filmmakers in the industry. The awards ceremony will take place on February 22, 2026, at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Among the nominees, Jessie Buckley from Co Kerry has earned a nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of a grieving Agnes Shakespeare. She enters the competition as a strong favorite for the award. Meanwhile, her co-star Paul Mescal, who was notably overlooked for an Oscar nomination, has secured a spot in the Best Supporting Actor category.

The BAFTA nominations were announced at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts headquarters in London by David Jonsson and Aimee Lou Wood. Additional Irish talent shines through with Myrid Carten‘s documentary A Want in Her receiving recognition in the Outstanding Debut category. Carten, hailing from Donegal, explores personal themes as she returns to Ireland to reconnect with her estranged mother.

The production company Element Pictures is also in the running, with Akinola Davies Jnr‘s acclaimed film My Father’s Shadow nominated for the same award. This African drama has garnered significant praise, particularly after its success at the Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, Element Pictures has made waves with Yorgos Lanthimos‘s Bugonia, which has received five nominations, including Best Actress for Emma Stone and Best Supporting Actor for Jesse Plemons.

In the Best Actor category, Ethan Hawke has been nominated for his role in Richard Linklater‘s Blue Moon, a film largely shot in Ireland. However, Andrew Scott did not receive a nomination for Best Supporting Actor, a decision that has surprised many observers.

Historically, the BAFTA ceremony took place later in the year, typically in April or May, following the Oscars. However, since its relocation to February in 2001, it has become a significant precursor to the Academy Awards, as both organizations share a portion of voters. This year, the decision to announce BAFTA nominations after the Oscars has left some awards watchers puzzled, as this timing may diminish their predictive value.

As for the films leading the awards, Paul Thomas Anderson‘s One Battle After Another tops the list with 14 nominations, closely followed by Ryan Coogler‘s Sinners with 13, and Hamnet with its 11 nominations. Zhao’s film, being a British co-production, holds a favorable position for Best Film according to the BAFTA electorate.

In a notable achievement, Leonardo DiCaprio secured a nomination for his performance in One Battle After Another, tying the all-time record for Best Actor nominations with seven, a mark previously held by distinguished actors such as Daniel Day-Lewis and Laurence Olivier.

Another film that has gained attention is Kirk Jones‘s I Swear, which, despite not receiving an Oscar nomination, competes in five categories at the BAFTAs, including Best British Film. This poignant and comedic story, featuring Robert Aramayo as a Tourette syndrome advocate, stands a strong chance of winning.

As the excitement builds for the BAFTA ceremony on February 22, audiences are eager to see the outcomes that will unfold at the Royal Albert Hall, where Alan Cumming will host the event and reveal the winners.