LONDON, 19 October 2026 — The Soho Film Awards, London's new festival dedicated to The Spirit of Independent Cinema, celebrated its first winners on Friday 16 October 2026 at The Savile Club, 69 Brook Street, Mayfair. The well-attended ceremony brought together winning filmmakers, members of the jury and film professionals from across Soho and Mayfair for an opening address, a programme of award-winning short films and the world premiere of Theatre Royal Battersea Rise.

Top honours went to Last Supper (USA, 2026), a Southern noir tragedy by Texas filmmaker Sonny Corona III, named Best Feature Film. Best Short Film was awarded to Something Pointless (UK, 2026) by Welsh virtual-production pioneer Asa Bailey, starring BAFTA winner Owen Teale and Olivier Award winner Sophie Thompson. Yekaterina Molostova received Best Leading Actor / Actress for Bye-Bye, Sing Sing (USA, 2026), directed by Peter Valentino.

A first night in Mayfair

The evening opened with an address by Ima von Wenden of Cinelion UK, Why We Need This Film Festival. Unusually for a festival bearing Soho's name, the first ceremony was held in Mayfair: The Savile Club offered better terms than many of Soho's screening rooms and independent cinemas. The organisers hope to establish screening partnerships in Soho itself for future events.

"Independent cinema needs rooms where it can be seen, and people who are willing to watch it properly," said Ima von Wenden. "We set out to find films with qualities that last – storytelling, performance, direction, integrity – and the response in our first year has exceeded anything we imagined. We have outgrown our room before we have even finished our first season, and that is the best problem a new festival could have."

Among the filmmakers attending were Peter Valentino; Tim Heath and Tom Swash, co-directors of Theatre Royal Battersea Rise, winner of Best British Drama; and Anita Albrecht, writer and co-star of Muddled Meals, with her husband Martyn Ward, who also appears in the film, and fellow cast member Anja Cilia. Muddled Meals was among the most decorated films of the night: Christie Arnold won Best Director, and Rula Lenska, Anita Albrecht and Anja Cilia shared the Outstanding Performance award, a team honour for the film's three leading actresses.

Rula Lenska, unable to attend in person, addressed the audience by recorded video from Spain. "I know it's special and it touches everybody who sees it," she said of Muddled Meals, "and I'm so grateful and touched that it has gone to a special award created especially for us."

Andrew Cortez, one of the filmmakers behind Last Supper, also sent a recorded video address.

The jury was represented by Andrew Fish, the London actor and writer who took the most active part in the judging; Raymond Keene OBE, the chess grandmaster; and Annette Keene, the former ballet star with a keen interest in the film industry. Fellow juror David Shilling, the celebrated London milliner known in Monte Carlo, was unable to attend but sent warm greetings and words of support.

Second evening in early November

With more winning films than a single evening could hold, the festival will stage a second programme of screenings and celebrations, expected in early November. The date is being finalised and will be announced at sohofilmawards.com. The programme will include:

  • Last Supper (USA, 2026), Sonny Corona III – Best Feature Film
  • We Turn (USA, 2026), Roberde Madhere – Finalist, Best Feature Film
  • We Are Where We Are (UK, 2026), Clara Planelles – Best Short Romance
  • Bye-Bye, Sing Sing (USA, 2026), Peter Valentino – Best Leading Actor / Actress (Yekaterina Molostova)
  • Beyond Mamushi (UK, 2025), Martin Daniels – Best Indie / Alternative / Arthouse Feature
  • A Girl Called Alice (UK, 2026), Tristan Loraine – Best Short Film Cinematography

Soho Film Awards 2026: full list of winners

  • Best Feature Film: Last Supper (USA, 2026), Sonny Corona III
  • Best Comedy Feature: Rest In Peace, If You Can (France, 2025), Charly Ongolo and Michel Nogara
  • Best Indie / Alternative / Arthouse Feature: Beyond Mamushi (UK, 2025), Martin Daniels
  • Best Director: Christie Arnold, Muddled Meals (UK, 2026)
  • Best Leading Actor / Actress: Yekaterina Molostova, Bye-Bye, Sing Sing (USA, 2026)
  • Best Short Film: Something Pointless (UK, 2026), Asa Bailey
  • Best Short Drama: Empathy Rehearsals (Italy, 2026), Jacopo Cullin
  • Best Short Thriller: Drop Number 8 (USA, 2025), Ryan and Chad Chamberlain
  • Best Short Romance: We Are Where We Are (UK, 2026), Clara Planelles
  • Best Short Sci-Fi / Fantasy: Dead to Door (UK, 2026), Kate Lloyd
  • Best Short Indie / Alternative / Arthouse Film: This Will Make You Sleep Instantly (Greece, Romania, UK, 2025), Michalis Langas
  • Best Short Film Screenplay: The Race (Ireland, 2026), Edelle Kenny
  • Best Short Film Cinematography: A Girl Called Alice (UK, 2026), Tristan Loraine
  • Best British Drama: Theatre Royal Battersea Rise (UK, 2026), Tim Heath and Tom Swash
  • Outstanding Performance: Rula Lenska, Anita Albrecht and Anja Cilia, Muddled Meals (UK, 2026)

ENDS

Notes to editors

About the Soho Film Awards. The Soho Film Awards is an annual, feature-focused festival held in October, devoted to original filmmaking that honours the traditions of British and international cinema while seeking contemporary work that feels timeless rather than trendy. It accepts comedy, drama, romance, thriller and fantasy / sci-fi films, and assesses every submission in full on storytelling, performance, direction and artistic integrity. Around two thirds of entries to the 2026 edition were short films, prompting the jury to introduce separate short-film genre categories. The next edition will take place in October 2027.

Partners. The 2026 edition is supported by The Savile Club (screening venue and hospitality), the Eccentric Club (ticketing and audience-curating partner), SohoMag (Official Information Partner), BOW PR (Marketing and Public Relations Partner) and Anthony Kay (Official Photographer).

Sponsorship. The festival works with one General Sponsor and no more than six Project Partners per edition. Sponsorship for 2027 starts at £5,000; details at sohofilmawards.com/become-our-partner.

Images and interviews. Photographs from the evening by Anthony Kay, film stills, trailers and interviews with winning filmmakers are available on request.

Website: sohofilmawards.com