London, 14 August 2025 — BAFTA has officially opened entries for the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards, announcing key updates to categories, voting procedures, and eligibility ahead of the ceremony on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
The changes aim to strengthen fairness, highlight creative excellence, and adapt to the evolving film industry. Among the most notable updates is the revised eligibility for the Outstanding British Film category. Nominees must now meet at least 60% of the points in BAFTA’s system, with either the director or writer being British. This move ensures the category continues to celebrate films that significantly contribute to the UK’s film industry.
For documentaries, Round One voting will now be restricted to BAFTA members with specialist non-fiction experience, with the full voting membership deciding the winner. The same inclusive final-round voting will now apply to British Short Film and British Short Animation, raising the profile and competitiveness of these categories.
The eligibility window for most films runs from 1 January 2025 to 20 February 2026, with an extended deadline of 20 March 2026 for documentaries and films not in the English language.
Key dates include:
- 5 December 2025 – Round One voting opens
- 9 January 2026 – Longlist announcement & Round Two voting begins
- 27 January 2026 – Nominations announced
- 22 February 2026 – Awards ceremony
Anna Higgs, Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, said the updates reflect BAFTA’s “dedication to fairness, rigour, and the recognition of creative excellence in all its forms.”
Last year’s ceremony drew over 3 million viewers on BBC One and 64 million video views online, with Conclave, The Brutalist, Anora, and Emilia Pérez leading the wins.