Four of Britain’s most promising filmmakers have received one of UK cinema’s most valuable boosts. The British Film Institute has named Rich Felgate, Olive Nwosu, Imran Perretta and Rachel Taparjan as the winners of its 2026 Filmmaker Awards, presented in partnership with Chanel, with each filmmaker receiving £20,000 to support the next stage of their career.

The winners were announced at a luncheon at Claridge’s in London on October 14, before a jury led by Edward Enninful OBE alongside Le Cinéma Club founder Marie-Louise Khondji and BFI chief executive Ben Roberts, with actors Jessie Buckley and Gwendoline Christie joining the jury to announce the recipients. The honored work spans forms: Felgate is the director, producer and cinematographer of We, The Hated; Nwosu directed and wrote Lady; Perretta directed, co-wrote and composed Ish; and Taparjan directed and wrote Something Familiar.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Chanel and present these unique awards to some of the UK’s brightest filmmakers,” Roberts said, adding that the winners had made “startling and moving films” and expressing the hope that the award gives them the space and freedom to take risks and remain audacious.

The awards have a track record of spotting filmmakers on the rise — previous recipients include Kathryn Ferguson (Nothing Compares), Savannah Leaf, who went on to win the BAFTA for Best Debut British Writer for Earth Mama, Pinny Grylls (Grand Theft Hamlet) and last year’s winner Harry Lighton, director of Pillion.