Roll camera, Raise the bar: JFW Movie Awards 2026 is here!

Another year, but are you ready for a bigger banger?

The JFW Movie Awards 2026 are here, and this one’s shaping up to be the most exciting edition yet. Rooted in a proudly women-centric vision, JFW once again turns the spotlight on powerful female voices, women-led narratives, and performances that redefined Tamil and Malayalam cinema over the past year.

If you’ve followed JFW over the years, you know this already. This is an awards platform that does things differently…

Here, women aren’t confined to a category; they are the story. From commanding lead performances and breakout debuts to women-driven films and creative leadership behind the camera, JFW celebrates cinema with purpose, intent, and representation.

But wait, don’t worry, we didn’t leave the men out!

This year too JFW’s iconic Man of the Year Award is sure to make for a memorable moment. Because meaningful cinema thrives on allyship, this special category recognises male actors who didn’t just deliver standout performances, but actively supported, championed, and elevated women-centric storytelling. After all, the strongest stories are told when everyone shows up.

Presented by Title Sponsor Twin Birds, Powered by Mrithu Towels by Ramraj Cotton and Sakthi Masala, with Strength Partner Kaaveri TMT Bars & Structural, and Wardrobe Partner Ramyyam Sarees, the JFW Movie Awards 2026 will celebrate excellence across 24 award categories spanning Tamil and Malayalam cinema.

And if you thought the buzz stops there, think again!

The nominations have already set the industry abuzz. Who will take home Best Actress in a Lead Role when powerhouses like Nithya Menen, Pooja Hegde, Simran, Trisha, Anupama Parameswaran, and Mamitha Baiju go head-to-head? In the ever-defining Best Actress in a Woman-Led Film category, performances by Keerthy Suresh, Lijomol Jose, Anjali Sivaraman, and Geetha Kailasam remind us why JFW continues to set the gold standard.

New faces, big futures, the Best Debutante category brings fresh energy with talents like Rukmini Vasanth, Kayadu Lohar, Bhagyashri Borse, Anishma Anilkumar, and Grace Antony. Meanwhile, seasoned performers Abhirami, Radikaa Sarathkumar, and Regina Cassandra reinforce the depth, complexity, and range women’s roles embraced this year.

But let’s be honest, it’s not just about the trophies.
It’s also about who you’ll spot when the lights come on!

Expect the red carpet to dazzle as Dhruv Vikram, Nivin Pauly, Simran, Sasikumar, Keerthy Suresh, and many more industry favourites make their presence felt. With Dhruv Vikram in the race for Most Impactful Performer of the Year and Nivin Pauly drawing attention in the newly introduced Man of the Year category, anticipation couldn’t be higher!

And music lovers, you’re in for a treat!

From Shruti Haasan and Chinmayi to Charulatha Mani, Sharanya Srinivas, and Shakthishree Gopalan, the Best Singer category proves once again that women’s voices didn’t just complement cinema this year, they defined it.

And as whispers grow louder around Best Film of the Year and Best Director of a Woman-Led Film, titles like Tourist Family, Bad Girl, Bison, Paranthu Po, Lokah, and Ponman continue to dominate conversations, each representing cinema that chose substance alongside scale.

So what can you expect from the JFW Movie Awards 2026?
Stars. Stories. Allyship. And moments that matter!