‘Elsinore’ leads the 2026 British Independent Film Awards nominations with 12 nods. The Studiocanal biographical drama stars Andrew Scott as Ian Charleson, the ‘Chariots of Fire’ actor who was offered the role of Hamlet at London’s National Theatre as he faced complications from AIDS. The film opened the BFI London Film Festival and is nominated for best British independent film, best director for Simon Stone, lead performance for Scott and supporting performance for Billie Piper.
Cleo Barnard’s ‘I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning’ received eight nominations, while Ashley Walters’ feature directorial debut, ‘Animol,’ earned seven. ‘Effi O Blaenau’ and ‘Queen at Sea’ each received six nominations, including a place in the best British independent film category. The debut features ‘Extra Geography,’ ‘Straight Circle’ and ‘Florid’ each secured five nods.
The best British independent film nominees are ‘Effi O Blaenau,’ ‘Elsinore,’ ‘I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning,’ ‘Queen at Sea’ and ‘Tender Loving Care.’ Mike Leigh’s ‘Tender Loving Care,’ described as his final film, also earned nominations for director and supporting performance, bringing its total to three.
The gender-neutral lead performance category includes Scott, Juliette Binoche for ‘Queen at Sea,’ Erin Doherty for ‘Faith,’ Leisa Gwenllian for ‘Effi O Blaenau,’ Jonathan Jules for ‘Florid’ and Tut Nyuot for ‘Animol.’ Other acting categories recognize performers from films including ‘California Schemin’,’ ‘Extra Geography,’ ‘Small Gods’ and ‘Sunny Dancer.’
The awards will be announced in two stages. Craft winners are due to be revealed on BIFA’s social channels on Nov. 24, with the remaining categories announced at the ceremony on Dec. 6 at London’s Roundhouse.
Sources: Variety.