Midlands Movies Awards 2026 - Full nominations
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester.
A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region.
You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2
And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Karendip Phull for Family
Kate Bracken for The Lace
Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit
Chloe Wade for How Long
Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison
Best Animated Film
Of All the Things by Steff Lee
Big Red by James Pyle
Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu
Butterfly by Jacob Christie
Best Director
Luke Worrall for The Waterline
Lily Portman for Quiet
Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room
Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed
Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars
Best Documentary
Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean
A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders
We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas
The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert
Through the Viewfinder by William North
Best Sound (Editing or Mixing)
Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity
Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution
Ethan Whyborn and Deepanjali Patel for Earworm
David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause
Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Devon Junior for Lazar
Tim Sparrow for Safety Net
Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family
Luke Rollason for Quiet
Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring
Best Visual & Special Effects
Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader
Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit
Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat
JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour
Pete Key, Jai Blanks and Jacob Christie for Countenance
Best Cinematography
Gary Rogers for The Pause
Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed
Ian Snape for Soul Trader
Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room
Duane Adamoli for Surfing
(nominations continue below...)
Best Costume & Makeup & Hairstyling
Amrita Mudan for Daniel’s Room
Verity Verhoven for Lazar
Emily Laye, Mega Skillern and Millissa Morris for Soul Trader
Cian Whyles & Victoria Jones for Quiet
Nicole Sarah Fry for The Lace
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Harry Clarke for Surfing
Joe Spoors for Homebird
Timothy Mylechreest for Earworm
Joseph Emms for Lazar
Darren McAree for Beyond the Witching Hour
Best Editing
Mikolaj Kacprzak for Soul Trader
Will Simpson BFE for Daniel's Room
Gillian Abraham for The Pause
Richard Bailey and Dave Alexander Smith for The Run
Samuel Moult for Mia, Alex and Dean Make A Movie
Best Music (Score or song)
Thomas Pearce for All Eyes on You
Dave Mooney and Michael Bird for Lazar
Sarah Playford for Of All The Things
Kitty Harper for Ma Prison
Lina and the Lions for If This Is It
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Grace Deavall for Echoing
Elleese Bradshaw for The Correction Unit
Tessa Wood for The Waterline
Aleesha Gill for Family
Issie Victoria for Teabags
Best Feature
The Beast Of Riverside Hollow by John Williams
This Is Birmingham by Kay S. Ubhi
Rites in August by Tom Turrell & John Turrell
The Correction Unit by Derry Shillitto
Best Writing (Original or adapted screenplay)
Tom Wallbanks & Grace Carter for Bob
Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed
Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit
Ash Arnold for Present Company Excluded
Jonathan Lill for Eulogy
Best Short Film
(winner will be chosen by VIP jury panel member RACHEL SHENTON)
Daniel's Room by Jack Richardson
How Long by Louise Wildish
Sorry We're Closed by Jonathan Hawes
Soul Trader by Geneviève Lowe
Family by Shaiek Ahmed Rana
Quiet by Lily Portman
Safety Net by Alfie Beard
Awards tickets to the ceremony are now available here https://www.midlandsmovies.com/awards-tickets
