And the winners of the BUSHELL AWARDS FOR ROCK, FILM & TELEVISION ACHIEVEMENTS are...
The BARFTAS – The Best of 2025
Book of the year, Fiction: The Cracked Mirror by Chris Brookmyre. Factual: The Golden Road by William Dalrymple.
Film of the year: Sinners. Commended: One Battle After Another.
TV show of the year: The Studio. Commended: Task. Dept Q. Severance season 2. Landman, season 2. The Celebrity Traitors. Best sci-fi: Pluribus. Best soap: The Waterfront. Worst show: All’s Fair.
Albums of the year: Bleeds by Wednesday (alt-rock). I’m The Problem by Morgan Wallen (country). Cherry Valley by Carter Faith (country). LDS by Cardiacs (art-punk).This Much Remains – Conflict (real punk; RIP Colin). Lux by Rosalia (genre-bending pop). Solace Of The Mind by Amina Claudine Myers (jazz piano).
Songs of the year. Don’t Let The Bastards Get You Down by Margo Price (country). Dandy Hooligan by Babyshambles (indie reggae). Berghain by Rosalia (goth-pop). By A Monster’s Hand by Volibear (rock). The Last Time by Suckerpunch (pop punk). Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter (pop). Folded by Kehlani (R&B). Felt Better Alive by Pete Doherty (countrified indie pop). Most irritating. Dame Un Grrr by Fantomel & Kate Linn
The BARFTAS – The Best of 2024
TV show of the year: Rivals. Commended: Wolf Hall, Mr Bates Vs The Post Office, 3 Body Problem, Fallout, Baby Reindeer, Industry.
Book of the year, fiction. UK: The Secret Hours by Mick Herron. US: City In Ruins by Don Winslow.
Biography: The Most Interesting Man in the World by Vinnie Stigma with Howie Abrams. Non-fiction: The Eagle and the Hart by Helen Castor.
Film of the year: Anora. Best Jason Statham film: The Beekeeper
Album of the year: Beyoncé. Cowboy Carter. Commended: Lady Blackbird. Slang Spirituals. Roots: Waxahatchee, Tigers Blood. Heavy Metal: Judas Priest, Invincible Shield. Rock: Jack White, No Name. Hip Hop: Kendrick Lamar, GNX. Country: Jelly Roll, Beautifully Broken. Punk: Cock Sparrer, With My Hand On My Heart and The Chisel, What A F****** Nightmare. Indie: The Last Dinner Party, Prelude To Ecstasy. Classical: Igor Levit, Brahms. Reggae: Romain Virgo, The Gentle Man.
Songs of the year. Pop: Good Luck, Babe by Chapell Roan. Indie Rock: U Should Not Be Doing That, Amyl & The Sniffers. Punk: Dilemma, Green Day. Rap: Not Like Us, Kendrick Lamar. Rock: Wanting & Waiting, the Black Crows. R&B: Nasty, Tinashe.
The BARFTAS – The Best of 2023
Book of the Year (Fiction): Everybody Knows by Jordan Harper.
Runner-up: Squeaky Clean by Callum McSorley.TV show of the year: Star Trek: Picard. Commended: Happy Valley. Beef. Daisy Jones & The Six. Jury Duty. The Last Of Us.
Film of the year: Rye Lane.
Album of the year: But Here We Are, Foo Fighters. Commended: Every Loser, Iggy Pop. Guts, Olivia Rodrigo
Song of the year: The Devil I Know, Ashley McBryde. Rock song of the year: Under You, Foo Fighters.
The BARFTAS – The Best of 2022
Book of the Year (Non-Fiction): Otherlands by Thomas Halliday. Commended: The Case Against The Sexual Revolution by Louise Perry.
Book of the Year (Fiction): City On Fire by Don Winslow.
Film of the year: Everything Everywhere All At Once.
TV show of the year (US): The Offer, (UK) Slow Horses. Commended: Hacks. The Responder. Pistol. Reacher. The Terminal List. House Of The Dragon. The Rings Of Power. Bosch: Legacy. SAS Rogue Heroes.
Album of the year: In The Wild, The Interrupters. (Rock): Patient Number 9, Ozzy Osbourne. (Rap): Mr Morale & The Big Steppers, Kendrick Lamar.
Rock song of the year: Patient Number 9 – Ozzy Osbourne. Pop Song of the year: Cardboard Box – Flo.
The BARFTAS – The Best of 2021
TV show of the year: WandaVision
Commended: The White Lotus. Unforgotten. Mare Of Easttown. Squid Game. Time.
Album of the year: Senjutsu – Iron Maiden
Commended: Comfort To Me – Amyl & The Sniffers, Dark Matters – The Stranglers, Tales From The Elkhorn Trail – Jim Lindberg, Death By Rock ’n’ Roll – The Pretty Reckless.
Song of the year: transparentsoul – Willow, feat Travis Barker
Runner-up: All You Ever Wanted – Rag n Bone Man
Commended: Can’t Let Go – Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Blood On Your Hands by Jim Lindberg, Chaise Lounge by Wet Leg, Overpass Graffiti by Ed Sheeran.
Book of the Year (Fiction): Blacktop Wasteland by S.A Cosby.
Book of the Year (Fact): And Away… Bob Mortimer The Autobiography.
Film of the Year: Nobody.
Best concert film: Summer Of Soul.
Best musical: tick, tick… BOOM!
Top Superhero film: Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Commended: Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings. Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The BARFTAs - The Best of 2020
TV show of the Year: The Mandalorian.
Commended: Cobra Kai, Tiger King, Des, The Undoing.
Book of the Year (Factual): One, Two, Three, Four – The Beatles In Time by Craig Brown.
(Fiction): Squeeze Me by Carl Hiaasen. Commended: Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh.
(Autobiography): Apropos of Nothing by Woody Allen.
Film of the Year: Soul.
Album of the Year: Bruce Springsteen – Letter To You.
Best punk album: The Drowns – Under Tension.
Best rock: AC/DC – Power Up.
Best soul: Chloe x Halle – Ungodly Hour.
Pop song of the Year: Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa.
Rock Song of the Year: Ghosts by Bruce Springsteen.
Punk Song of the Year (not including Federales by the Gonads): Take It On The Chin by Cock Sparrer.
Rap Song of the Year: WAP by Cardi B ftg Megan Thee Stallion.
The Best of the 2010s
TV: Game Of Thrones.
Film: They Shall Not Grow Old.
Book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes.
Album: Dreams From The Factory Floor by Louise Distras.
Stage: One Man, Two Guvnors.
2019
TV show of the Year: Chernobyl. Commended: Succession. Guilt. Giri/Haji.
Film of the Year: Dolemite Is My Name. Commended: The Irishman. Avengers: Endgame. Bait.
Book of the Year (Fiction): Twisted by Steve Cavanagh.
Autobiography: Me by Elton John.
Album of the Year: Feral Roots – The Rival Sons.
Pop song of the Year: Señorita – Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello. Commended: Gave You Everything – The Interrupters. Lo/Hi – The Black Keys. Memories – Maroon 5. Hold You Now – Vampire Weekend ft. Danielle Haim.
2018
Film of the Year (Documentary): They Shall Not Grow Old.
Film of the Year (Drama): Leave No Trace. Commended: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.
Book of the Year (Fiction): Once A Pilgrim by James Deegan. Commended: Kill ’Em All by John Niven; The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton; London Rules by Mick Herron, Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh.
Book of the Year (Factual): The Spy & The Traitor by Ben Macintyre.
TV show of the Year: Informer. Commended: Killing Eve, Succession, Atlanta.
Album of the Year: The Good Fight by The Interrupters. Commended: Crashing Like Stars by Heavy Drapes; Prequelle by Ghost.
Pop song of the Year: Feel It Still - Portugal The Man.
2017
Film of the Year: Dunkirk. Commended: Wonder Woman, Guardians Of The Galaxy 2, Thor: Ragnarok.
Book of the Year: Red Famine – Stalin’s War On The Ukraine by Anne Applebaum. Commended: Ma’am Darling by Craig Brown.
Book of the Year (Fiction): The Force by Don Winslow.
TV show of the Year: Blue Planet II. Commended: Line Of Duty, Big Little Lies, American Gods, Get Shorty.
Album of the Year: Forever by Cock Sparrer. Commended: Trouble Maker by Rancid; Fail You Again by Can’t Swim
Pop song of the Year: Human – Rag ’n’ Bone Man
2016
Film of the Year: Captain America: Civil War. Commended: Deadpool; Hell Or High Water.
Book Of The Year: All Out War: The Full Story Of How Brexit Sank The Political Class by Tim Shipman.
Book Of The Year (Fiction): End Of Watch by Stephen King.
Biography of the Year: Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen.
TV Show of the Year: Stranger Things. Commended: The Night Of, The Night Manager, Planet Earth II, The Good Place.
Album of the Year: A Large Bash of Teenage Feelings by Beach Slang.
Rock Album of the Year: Hardwired To Self-Destruct by Metallica.
Song of the Year: What It Means by Drive-By Truckers. Commended: The Devil’s Bleeding Crown by Volbeat; Black Beatles by Rae Sremmurd f'ting Gucci Mane.
2015
Film of the Year: Amy. Commended: Kingsman: The Secret Service; Hard To Be A God.
Book of the Year (Factual): A Disgrace To The Profession compiled by Mark Steyn.
Book of the Year (Fiction): A Man With One Of Those Faces by Caimh McDonnell.
Biography of the Year: Reckless by Chrissie Hynde.
TV Show of the Year: Fargo. Commended: Catastrophe, Romanzo Criminale.
Album of the Year: Resolution by Penetration.
Rock Album of the Year: The Book Of Souls by Iron Maiden. Commended: Love Lies Dying by The Graveltones.
Pop song of the Year: Bills by Lunchmoney Lewis. Commended: He Is by Ghost.
2014
Film Of The Year: Guardians Of The Galaxy. Commended: John Wick.
Book of the Year: Ruling The Void, The Hollowing Of Western Democracy by Peter Mair.
Book of the Year (Fiction): Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King.
TV Show of the Year: Game Of Thrones. Commended: Fargo; Gomorrah, Homeland.
Album of the Year: Honor Is All We Know by Rancid. Commended: The Interrupters by The Interrupters, No Going Back by Stiff Little Fingers,
Pop Song Of The Year: Happy by Pharrell Williams.
2013
Film of the Year: The Wolf of Wall Street.
Book of the Year: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. Commended: Dead Lions by Mick Herron.
Book of the Year (Biography): Margaret Thatcher: Not For Turning by Charles Moore
TV show: House Of Cards. Commended: Peaky Blinders, Ray Donovan, Top Boy, Banshee.
Album of the Year: Dreams From The Factory Floor by Louis Distras. Commended: AM by the Arctic Monkeys
Pop Song of the Year: Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke.
2012
Film of the Year: Marvel’s The Avengers.
Documentary of the Year: East End Babylon.
Book of the Year (factual): Iron Curtain: The Crushing Of Eastern Europe 1944-56 by Anne Applebaum.
Book of the Year (fiction): A Foreign Country by Charles Cummings.
Autobiography of the Year: Going To Sea In A Sieve by Danny Baker.
TV Show of the Year: Game Of Thrones. Commended: Line Of Duty.
Album of the Year: Generation Silence by Missing Andy. Commended: Hopes Dreams Lies & Schemes by Argy-Bargy.
2011
Film of the Year: Limitless. Commended: Attack The Block.
Book of the Year: After America by Mark Steyn.
TV Show Of The Year: Game Of Thrones. Commended: Inside No 9, The Killing, Boardwalk Empire, Romanzo Criminale, Braquo.
Album Of The Year: Peace Love Faith Hope Respect Co-Exist by the Dub City Rockers.
2010
Film of the Year: True Grit.
Book of the Year: Slow Horses by Mick Herron.
Biography of the Year: Just Kids by Patti Smith.
TV Show of the Year: The Walking Dead.
Album of the Year: Bring The House Down by Deadline.
The BARFTAs: The Best of the Noughties
Film: Lord Of The Rings trilogy.
TV: Life On Mars.
Album: American Idiot by Green Day.
Book: Kill Your Friends by John Niven.
Stage: August: Osage County.
2009
Film of the Year: Watchmen.
Book of the Year: The Real Global Warming Disaster by Christopher Booker.
TV Show of the Year: True Blood. Commended: Sons of Anarchy, The Take.
Album of the Year: 21st Century Breakdown by Green Day.
2008
Film of the Year: The Dark Knight. Commended: Taken.
Book of the Year: Kill Your Friends by John Niven.
TV show of the Year: Mad Men. Commended: Breaking Bad. True Blood.
Album of the Year: Save the World, Get the Girl by The King Blues.
2007
Film of the Year: American Gangster.
Book of the Year: Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon.
TV show of the Year: Heroes. Commended: Gavin & Stacey; The Big Bang Theory.
Album of the Year: The Meanest of Times by the Dropkick Murphys.
2006
Film of the Year: The Departed.
Book of the Year: Nature Girl by Carl Hiaasen.
TV show of the Year: Life On Mars. Commended: Dexter; 30 Rock.
Album of the Year: Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I'm Not by The Arctic Monkeys. Commended: Back To Black by Amy Winehouse; The Gold Record by The Bouncing Souls.
2005
Film of the Year: Sin City
Book of the Year: The Right Madness by James Crumley.
TV show of the Year: Extras. Commended: My Name Is Earl. Prison Break.
Album of the Year: The Warrior Code by the Dropkick Murphys.
2004
Film of the Year: Hellboy
Book of the Year: How Mumbo-Jumbo Conquered The World by Francis Wheen.
TV show of the Year: Harry Hill’s TV Burp.
Commended: Curb Your Enthusiasm; Dexter; Shameless; Entourage; Early Doors; The Long Firm; Bodies; House.
Album of the Year: American Idiot by Green Day. Commended: Hot Fuss by the Killers.
2003
Film of the Year: LOTR: Return of The King.
Book of the Year: Truecrime by Jake Arnott
TV show of the Year: Spooks. Commended: Arrested Development. Carnivale.
Album of the Year: Indestructible by Rancid Commended: Permission To Land by The Darkness.
2002
Film of the Year: LOTR: The Two Towers
Book of the Year: Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen
TV show of the Year: The Shield. Commended: The Wire, 24, The League of Gentlemen.
Album of the Year: The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
2001
Film of the Year: Lord Of The Rings. Commended: Sexy Beast.
Book of the Year: Carter Beats The Devil by Glen David Gold. Commended: American Gods by Neil Gaiman.
TV show of the Year: The Office/Phoenix Nights.Commended: Band of Brothers.
Album of the Year: Sing Loud, Sing Proud by the Dropkick Murphys. Commended: This Is It by The Strokes.