BAFTA Awards 2026 Winners and BRIT Awards 2026 Preview: A Big Week for British Film and Music
24 February, 2026The BAFTA awards are always a particularly exciting stop on the entertainment calendar during Awards season- highlighting not only the best that Hollywood has to offer but also shifting the focus to the best of British film in particular! The BAFTAs showcase films that are often overlooked by their US counterparts, creating a more unpredictable affair. Last night’s 2026 ceremony provided surprises, upsets and shocks with homegrown talent dominating top categories.
The 2026 BAFTA awards reminded audiences how much rich storytelling and screen artistry comes out of the UK and beyond. And with the 2026 BRIT Awards just days away on 28 February in Manchester- the first time the Brits have taken place outside London- there’s plenty of momentum in British culture to keep the spotlight on UK creatives in both film and music.
BAFTA Awards 2026: Winners, Highlights and Biggest Surprises
This year’s BAFTA winners list was full of buzzworthy moments. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another walked away with the biggest haul of the night, including Best Film and Director, as the political thriller continues its dominance and remains a favourite heading into the Oscars on March 20.
In a shocking turn of events however- one award it missed out on was Best Leading Actor, with British actor Robert Aramayo taking the trophy for I Swear- a biopic about John Davidson, a Scottish man with severe Tourette’s syndrome who became a campaigner for greater understanding of the condition. Aramayo picked up the award over A-list superstars Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan. He also nabbed the EE Rising Star Award- the first person ever to win both in the same night.
Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her emotionally charged performance in Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, which dramatizes the story of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes- based on the book of the same name by Maggie O'Farrell. The film also snagged Outstanding British Film- giving director Chloe Zhao her third BAFTA, after winning two in 2021 for Nomadland.
Other big winners included Wunmi Mosaku (Supporting Actress for Sinners) and honorary awards for Dame Donna Langley (BAFTA Fellowship) and Clare Binns (Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema).
These moments not only reflect global excellence but highlight how British artists are making waves both at home and on the world stage.
BRIT Awards 2026 in Manchester: Nominees and Key Categories
Just around the corner, the BRIT Awards 2026 (set for Friday, 28 February 2026 at Co‑op Live in Manchester) are shaping up to be a major night for UK music. British and international music acts are nominated across 16 categories, with several homegrown names leading the charge:
Olivia Dean and Lola Young top the nominations table with five nods each, including British Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Act.
Sam Fender is close behind with four nominations- for Artist of the Year, Alt/Rock Act, Mastercard Album of the Year and Song of the Year- cementing his status as one of the UK’s most acclaimed rock voices this year.
Artists with three nominations include Lily Allen with nods for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for West End Girl, and also Pop Act. Dave and Fred Again also have three nominations each, highlighting their respective hip-hop and dance categories.
Little Simz and PinkPantheress are also up for Artist of the Year and Rap and Dance Act respectively, showing the diversity of British music being recognised this year.
International stars are also acknowledged in separate categories, with names like Taylor Swift, Rosalía, Lady Gaga, Doechii, and Bad Bunny nominated for International Artist of the Year, underlining the BRITs’ global scope as well.
From BAFTA surprises to BRITs anticipation, this awards season is really shining a spotlight on UK film and music- with lots of global crossover appeal too. As we get closer to the culmination of film awards season with the 98th Academy Awards on March 20 and Hamnet a frontrunner to pick up a few Oscars, there’s a lot to be excited about still to come!
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