The official CICLOPE Awards 2026 Shortlist is here. This edition celebrates unique creativity from around the world more than ever before, with finalists from countries including New Zealand, Ireland, Taiwan, Greece, Slovakia, India and Peru, alongside those from the United Kingdom, United States and across Europe. This year’s record participation and new awards structure has given more opportunities for innovative work to shine at the Home of Craft.

Categories including Sustainability and Social Impact in the new For Good section, Documentary and Experimental in the expanded Short Film section, and a dedicated AI Craft section have provided an international platform for those shaping the future of craft and creativity.

Finalists are those whose work the jury ranked highest in more than 50 categories. This year’s jury line-up brings together experts in craft from across the global creative community, with the exceptional group of talent being led by the 2026 Jury Presidents:

The 2026 Jury Presidents are:

CICLOPE CRAFT

• DIRECTION: Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Park Pictures, Co-Founder
• PRODUCTION: Rupert Reynolds-MacLean, Biscuit Filmworks, Managing Director (UK)
• POST PRODUCTION & ANIMATION: Guillaume Marien, MATHEMATIC, CEO & Founder
• SOUND & MUSIC: Florian Lakenmacher, SUPREME MUSIC, Co-Founder, Composer & Global Creative Director
• AI CRAFT: Shu Hung, AKQA, Global Chief Creative Officer

CICLOPE IDEAS

• FILM, INNOVATION & FOR GOOD: Tara Ford, Droga5 London, part of Accenture Song, Chief Creative Officer

CICLOPE ENTERTAINMENT

• MUSIC VIDEO: Zico Judge, ProdCo, Co-Founder & Executive Producer
• SHORT FILM: Marta Bobić, CANADA, Managing Director & Executive Producer

Juan Maria Fernandez, CICLOPE partner & director of awards, stated, “The 2026 Shortlist announcement marks the start of celebrations of the year’s best work, and we couldn’t be happier to share it. With record participation and Finalists from 25 different countries, this is the most diverse CICLOPE Awards Shortlist yet. But what stood out to everyone across the Jury and all of us involved, is the commitment to craft. Despite the challenges facing the industry, the quality of the work is remarkable. We thank our jury for their dedication, and congratulate everyone on this year’s shortlist.”

View the 2026 shortlist here.

The jury presidents and Grand Jury will bring their world-class knowledge to the final round of judging live in Berlin next month. Winners will be announced at the CICLOPE Awards Ceremony, hosted once again by comedian and writer, Sophie Duker. The 2026 Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday October 8, the closing night of this year’s CICLOPE Festival, held for the first time at the stunning Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW).

Passes to attend are available here.