LONDON, July 22, 2026 — BAFTA has officially opened entries for the 2027 EE BAFTA Film Awards, unveiling updated eligibility rules, voting procedures and the awards timeline ahead of its 80th annual ceremony.
The awards will take place in London on Sunday, 21 February 2027, with the longlist set to be announced on Thursday, 7 January 2027, followed by nominations on Tuesday, 19 January 2027.
As part of its annual review process, BAFTA said it has worked with its Film Committee and industry representatives to update the rules, with a focus on recognising creative excellence, ensuring a fair awards process, encouraging positive industry change and promoting the year’s best films to audiences.
Outstanding British Film Longlist Expanded
One of the most significant changes for the 2027 awards is the expansion of the Outstanding British Film longlist from 15 to 20 films. BAFTA said the move is intended to showcase a broader range of British filmmaking while increasing the number of eligible titles considered during the awards process.
The category will continue to feature 10 final nominations, with five selected by BAFTA members and five chosen by the nominating jury.
Casting Professionals Join Acting Category Voting
BAFTA has also updated the voting process for its acting categories after receiving more than 700 performance submissions across the four acting awards.
Members of the Casting Chapter will now vote alongside the Acting Chapter during both the longlisting and nomination rounds. In addition, the longlisting jury will select five performers for the longlist, a change BAFTA says is designed to bring additional industry expertise and broaden recognition of acting talent.
BAFTA Clarifies Position on Artificial Intelligence
Following industry consultation, BAFTA has revised its rulebook to clarify how artificial intelligence is considered during the awards process.
The organisation reaffirmed that its awards recognise human creative achievement, regardless of the tools used during production. The updated rule states:
“The Awards are presented annually to recognise, honour and reward individuals for outstanding human achievement in originating, shaping and realising the final artistic outcome, regardless of the tools used to bring this work to life. Where the use of Generative AI or other digital tools is relevant to the consideration of the work, BAFTA reserves the right to request additional information regarding the nature of such use and the extent of human creative involvement.”
BAFTA confirmed that similar AI guidance will also be introduced across its other awards rulebooks during 2027.
Family Film Category Renamed
The Children’s & Family Film category will be renamed Family Film for the 2027 awards.
According to BAFTA, the updated title better reflects films that appeal across generations while providing greater clarity for entrants, voters and juries. The eligibility requirements and voting process will remain unchanged.
Stronger Industry Standards and Accessibility Requirements
BAFTA is also extending measures aimed at improving industry standards and accessibility.
Bullying and harassment policies will continue to be mandatory for British productions and, from 2027, entrants will also be expected to commit to maintaining safe and inclusive working environments as BAFTA aligns with the work of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA). BAFTA said this expectation is intended to become a formal requirement in future years.
In addition, films submitted to BAFTA View will now be required to include descriptive subtitled versions before becoming available to members, replacing the previous 10-day grace period.
BAFTA Statement
Emily Stillman, Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, said:
“The changes introduced for the 2027 EE BAFTA Film Awards reflect BAFTA’s ongoing commitment to celebrating creative excellence, broadening recognition, and evolving alongside the industry. From expanding the Outstanding British Film longlist and enhancing participation in our acting categories, to clarifying our approach to Generative AI and strengthening accessibility and industry standards, these updates are designed to ensure our Awards remain fair, rigorous and representative of the exceptional talent working in film today.”
The 2027 EE BAFTA Film Awards will mark the 80th edition of the ceremony when winners are announced on 21 February 2027 in London.