Unveiling the BAFTA Games Awards Judging Process

The 22nd BAFTA Games Awards are set to take place on April 17, 2026, with the nomination process already underway. But what goes into judging these esteemed awards? Emma Baehr, executive director of awards and content at BAFTA, oversees the entire process, from logistics to ensuring the judging is fair and inclusive. The process begins with BAFTA's 1,400 games industry members submitting nominations across 17 categories, plus the fellowship award. Certain categories, such as Artistic Achievement and Audio Achievement, are restricted to chapter voting, where only members of the relevant chapter can nominate games. Baehr notes that BAFTA is moving towards more chapter voting to ensure specialist skills are represented. This year, certain categories will be voted on by their respective chapters for the first time. The awards rulebook is regularly reviewed to ensure it remains current and reflective of the industry. Once nominations are gathered, a long list of the top ten games for each category is published, followed by juries whittling down the list to the final six nominations. The jury membership is decided by the games committee and Baehr's team, with half of the members being BAFTA games members and the other half being industry professionals who are not BAFTA members. Jury meetings take place over Zoom calls, allowing for global and inclusive discussions. Each jury is chaired by a member of the games committee, and members undergo training to ensure fairness and inclusivity. The voting process is secret, with the winner only being revealed at the awards ceremony. Baehr emphasizes the importance of diversity and representation in the juries, ensuring a broad mix of voices and expertise. BAFTA also offers bursaries and scholarships to encourage diversity and inclusivity in the industry. To become a voting member of BAFTA, one must apply and meet certain eligibility criteria, including working in the screen industries and having a significant contribution to the screen arts in the UK. The current membership round for the games industry closes on September 5, 2025.