A smashing time was had at the brilliant British Film Pre-Oscars Reception.
Acing a proper way to toast this year’s Academy Award nominees, host and CEO of the BFI Ben Roberts, co-host British Consul General Paul Rennie, BFI America Board member Barbara Broccoli, and BFI Chair Jay Hunt put together delightful afternoon Soho House Holloway.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: (L-R) Pippa Harris, Risa Shapiro and Diane Warren attend The British Film Reception by The British Consulate-General Los Angeles & British Film Institute at Soho House Holloway on March 13, 2026 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for British Consulate-General Los Angeles)
Joy filled the premiere West Hollywood location that saw the likes of Diane Warren (2026 Best Original Song Nominee “Dear Me”), Nina Gold (2026 Best Casting Nominee), Greg Kwedar (2026 Best Adapted Screenplay Nominee “Train Dreams”), Clint Bentley (2026 Best Adapted Screenplay Nominee “Train Dreams”), Kleber Mendonça Filho (Director of 2026 Best Picture & International Film Nominee “The Secret Agent”), Jerry Bruckheimer (2026 Best Picture Nominee “F1”), Fiona Crombie, Alice Felton (2026 Best Production Design Nominees “Hamnet”), Liza Marshall (2026 Best Picture Nominee “Hamnet”), Pippa Harris (2026 Best Picture Nominee “Hamnet”), Skye P. Marshall (“Matlock”), Jane Seymour (“Dr. Quinn Medicine Women”), Yaya DaCosta (“The Lincoln Lawyer”), Peter Safran (Co-Chair and Co-CEO of DC Studios), Charithra Chandran (“Bridgerton”), Jimmy Akingbola (“Bel-Air”), Pamela Abdy (Co-Chair and Co-Ceo of Warner Bros Motion Picture Group), Scott Stuber (BFI Governor, and 2026 Best Picture Nominee “Frankenstein”) and more.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: Paul Rennie, OBE, British Consulate-General Los Angeles, speaks during The British Film Reception by The British Consulate-General Los Angeles & British Film Institute at Soho House Holloway on March 13, 2026 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for British Consulate-General Los Angeles)
The reception, hosted by the BFI and British Consul General in Los Angeles, in partnership with Soho House and Spotlight, honored the outstanding achievements of filmmakers and creatives whose work has been recognized at the Academy Awards past and present and celebrated the UK’s contribution to filmmaking.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: (L-R) Scott Stuber, Jay Hunt, Chair of the British Film Institute, and Ben Roberts, CEO of the British Film Institute attend The British Film Reception by The British Consulate-General Los Angeles & British Film Institute at Soho House Holloway on March 13, 2026 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for British Consulate-General Los Angeles)
British casting director Gold reflected on the incredible community of industry leaders and dedicated filmmakers who came out to support and celebrate as well as the landmark first round nominations for her category.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: Jane Seymour attends The British Film Reception by The British Consulate-General Los Angeles & British Film Institute at Soho House Holloway on March 13, 2026 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for British Consulate-General Los Angeles)
“I am just incredibly happy,” she said on the red carpet while sharing the excitement in the room. “I’m having a great time and feeling proud for all the casting directors.”
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: Taaha Shah attends The British Film Reception by The British Consulate-General Los Angeles & British Film Institute at Soho House Holloway on March 13, 2026 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for British Consulate-General Los Angeles)
BFI is a leading cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organization for film and the moving image. The mission supports creativity and actively seeks out the next generation of UK storytellers. Along with this they are growing and caring for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive; as well as working with government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: (L-R) Sophie Tea and Nathalie Emmanuel attend The British Film Reception by The British Consulate-General Los Angeles & British Film Institute at Soho House Holloway on March 13, 2026 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for British Consulate-General Los Angeles)
BFI America is an independent non-profit organization registered in California that supports the work of the BFI around the world. Supporters of the former “Friends of the BFI” have donated over $2 million to date.
The British Consulate in Los Angeles represents the interests of the United Kingdom in Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah, as well as the US Pacific Territories. As part of our commitment to building deeper relationships with the United States, we work within communities to strengthen the bonds between our people and act as a force for good along with our shared values.
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: (L-R) Guest, Debi Hemmeter, Colin Walsh, Sarah Zapp and guest attend The British Film Reception by The British Consulate-General Los Angeles & British Film Institute at Soho House Holloway on March 13, 2026 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Araya Doheny/Getty Images for British Consulate-General Los Angeles)
