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Bafta nominations to be unveiled amid awards season
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) will announce its Film Award nominations later this week, marking the final major shortlist reveal in this year's awards cycle. Following last week's Oscar nominations, the Baftas are expected to spotlight a stronger presence of UK-produced films and talent.
Key contenders and expected frontrunners
Films like Hamnet, Sinners, and One Battle After Another are poised to lead the nominations. However, KPop Demon Hunters, a standout at the Oscars for its animated and original song categories, will not appear on the Bafta shortlist due to eligibility rules requiring a prior theatrical release in the UK.
British representation takes centre stage
Unlike the Oscars, the Baftas feature dedicated categories for outstanding British film and debut, ensuring greater recognition for homegrown productions. This year's likely nominees include I Swear, a touching portrayal of a young man with Tourette's syndrome in 1980s Scotland, and The Ballad of Wallis Island, a heartwarming comedy about an eccentric lottery winner reuniting a beloved musical duo.
Other British films in contention are Pillion, a drama exploring a BDSM relationship, and H is for Hawk, an adaptation of Helen Macdonald's memoir about grief and falconry. Additional titles on the longlist for outstanding British film include The Choral, 28 Years Later, Ballad of a Small Player, and Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy.
British and Irish actors in the spotlight
Several UK and Irish performers could secure acting nominations, even if their films haven't gained traction elsewhere in awards season. Among them are Cillian Murphy (Steve), Carey Mulligan (The Ballad of Wallis Island), Harry Melling (Pillion), and Emily Watson (Hamnet). Supporting categories may also feature Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo from Sinners, both of whom earned Oscar nominations last week.
Notable omissions and eligibility rules
Bafta's advance longlists have already ruled out several high-profile films and actors. Hollywood stars like Julia Roberts, Dwayne Johnson, George Clooney, and Sydney Sweeney missed the cut, mirroring their absence from the Oscar nominations. Wagner Moura, nominated at other major ceremonies for The Secret Agent, also failed to make the Bafta longlist.
The most significant exclusion is KPop Demon Hunters, Netflix's viral hit, which is ineligible due to its direct-to-streaming release in the UK. Though a singalong version later screened in cinemas, it did not meet Bafta's theatrical run requirement.
Bafta as an Oscar bellwether
The Bafta Film Awards, taking place on 22 February in London with Alan Cumming as host, often serve as a predictor for the Oscars. Last year, 13 of the last 15 Bafta best actor winners and 10 of the last 12 best actress winners replicated their success at the Academy Awards. However, the best picture categories diverged in 2025, with Bafta honouring Conclave while the Oscars selected Anora.
What to watch for
While ceremonies like the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards sometimes chart their own course, Bafta's nominations frequently align with Oscar voters' preferences. This year's shortlist, to be announced on Tuesday, could offer early clues about the Academy's final decisions ahead of the Oscars on 15 March.
