Hamnet won Outstanding British Film at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards.
The award recognized Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, a historical drama based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel. The film centers on Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare, and explores family grief, marriage and the death of their son Hamnet. Jessie Buckley played Agnes, while Paul Mescal portrayed Shakespeare.
Hamnet faced nine other nominees in the Outstanding British Film category, including Steve, Pillion and I Swear. It won two major BAFTAs: Outstanding British Film and Leading Actress for Buckley. Those victories are distinct from Best Film, which went to One Battle After Another.
“British film” does not simply mean a movie with a British actor or setting. BAFTA’s category recognizes qualifying British productions and creative contributions under its rules. That is why Hamnet could win this national category while another film claimed the ceremony’s overall Best Film prize.