Finalists announced for 2026 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards

The finalists for the 2026 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards have been revealed, with 55 individuals and organisations shortlisted from more than 500 nominations across 17 categories.

This year’s awards introduce four new categories, reflecting the continued growth and diversity of the region’s cultural and creative sector. New additions include Live Event of the Year, Excellence in Film and TV, and awards recognising digital, gaming and creative media talent for the first time.

The Excellence in Film and TV category highlights the Liverpool City Region’s booming screen industry, with hundreds of productions choosing the area as a filming location and local talent gaining international recognition through BAFTAs, Emmys and Golden Globes. Live Event of the Year celebrates the unforgettable moments that have brought communities together through culture.

Other categories recognise how creativity is being used to drive innovation, community cohesion and positive change across education, health, business and the environment.

Councillor Mike Wharton, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade, said the awards are an important moment to celebrate the region’s cultural impact.

He said: “The Liverpool City Region is at the forefront of culture. We are brimming with creativity and these awards give us the chance to celebrate artists, innovators, community activists and businesses who are all using culture and creativity to make a real difference.

“From grassroots projects to large-scale events, it’s been an incredibly exciting year. The standard was exceptionally high and all of our finalists should be proud to have made it this far.”

An independent judging panel reviewed more than 500 nominations to create the final shortlist. New judges joined the panel this year, including Jay Hynd, founder and managing director of The Guide Liverpool, TV producer Jernice Easthope and BBC presenter Ngunan Adamu, who previously hosted the awards. They were joined by returning judges Kate Royse, Director of the Hartree Centre, and Dr Emma Roberts from Liverpool John Moores University.

One category decided entirely by the public is the People’s Choice Award for Outstanding Contribution to Culture. Six finalists will go forward to a public vote, opening next month. The shortlisted organisations are:

PopVox Choir
Shakespeare North Playhouse
The Unity Theatre
Alder Hey’s Arts for Health
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival
Liverpool Sound City

Broadcaster Ngunan Adamu, judging the awards for the first time, said she was inspired by the entries.

She said: “The standard was incredibly high. The creativity, passion and real-world impact of these projects really stood out. The Liverpool City Region has such a special cultural identity, and it was a privilege to see just how much talent exists across the area.”

For the first time, the awards ceremony will be hosted in Liverpool, taking place at the Everyman Theatre in June. The event is supported by sponsors including The ACC Liverpool Group, The Guide Liverpool, Hope Street Hotel, Trojan Lighting Solutions and Copeland Group Services.

More information about the awards and categories can be found at here.

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