LONDON — The race for the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards is officially underway as the nominees for the prestigious EE Rising Star Award were announced Wednesday at the Savoy Hotel. This year’s shortlist features a diverse quintet of emerging talent who have dominated both independent cinema and global blockbusters over the past twelve months.
Now in its 21st year, the Rising Star Award remains the only category at the BAFTAs decided by the British public. The 2026 contenders were unveiled by last year’s winner, Mia McKenna-Bruce, alongside film critic Ali Plumb.
The Class of 2026
The following five actors have been recognized for their exceptional breakout performances:
Archie Madekwe: Lurker, Gran Turismo
Chase Infiniti: One Battle After Another
Miles Caton: Sinners
Posy Sterling: Lollipop
Robert Aramayo: I Swear, The Rings of Power
Emotional Reactions
The announcement brought several nominees to the Savoy in person, where emotions ran high.
- Robert Aramayo, the Hull-born actor who has moved from Middle-earth to biographical drama, shared that his parents were “crying and jumping” at the news. “Today is a day I will never forget,” he added.
- Posy Sterling recounted the moment she found out while hiking: “I was on top of a mountain… I found out, cried, and then had to not say anything.”
- Chase Infiniti, currently a frontrunner for a Best Actress BAFTA following her Golden Globe nomination, described the year as “transformative” and expressed deep gratitude to the jury.
The Selection Process
While the public casts the final vote, the shortlist was curated by a high-profile jury of industry experts. This year’s panel included actors Joe Alwyn, Sheila Atim, and Benedict Wong, who were tasked with identifying performers poised to become the next generation of screen legends.
The Rising Star Award has a storied history of predicting future A-listers; previous winners include Tom Hardy, Daniel Kaluuya, Florence Pugh, and Tom Holland.
Key Dates for Your Diary
- Voting Closes: Friday, February 20, 2026 (12:00 PM GMT)
- Full BAFTA Nominations Announced: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
- Awards Ceremony: Sunday, February 22, 2026
The ceremony will be hosted by The Traitors US star Alan Cumming and will broadcast live from the Royal Festival Hall on BBC One and iPlayer.
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