Andrew Scott’s Elsinore leads the 2026 British Independent Film Awards with 12 nominations. Simon Stone’s drama follows actor Ian Charleson as he prepares to play Hamlet at London’s National Theatre while seriously ill with AIDS.
The nominations, announced on 3 November, recognise Scott and Billie Piper’s performances, as well as the film, Stone’s direction and Stephen Beresford’s screenplay. Stone previously directed The Dig, while Beresford wrote Pride. Scott also produces and reunites on screen with his Ripley co-star Johnny Flynn.
Clio Barnard’s I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning is its closest challenger with eight nominations. Its five lifelong friends are confronting adulthood as they turn 30.
Queen at Sea, another best-film contender, brings together Juliette Binoche and Tom Courtenay for a dementia drama. The Welsh-language Effi o Blaenau follows a party-loving young woman as her life starts to unravel. Mike Leigh’s Tender Loving Care completes the category.
Elsewhere, Ashley Walters has earned a debut-director nomination for Animol. His first feature, set in a young offenders’ institution, collected seven nominations in total.
The craft winners will be announced on 24 November, before the main ceremony at London’s Roundhouse on 6 December. Irish audiences can see Elsinore in cinemas from 29 January 2027.
