The nominations for the 2025 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) have been announced, with My Father’s Shadow and Pillion leading the pack. Akinola Davies Jr.’s coming-of-age film, set in Lagos, garnered an impressive 12 nominations, while Harry Lighton’s queer romance received 10 nods. The announcements were made by actors Ben Hardy and Saura Lightfoot-Leon at a ceremony held at One Hundred Shoreditch in London.
Both films premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and received critical acclaim. Davies and Lighton each secured nominations for Best Debut Director, as well as for Best Screenplay and Best Debut Screenwriter. The performance categories feature notable names, including Jennifer Lawrence for her role in Die, My Love, which also received eight nominations overall, and Cillian Murphy for his performance in Steve.
In a competitive landscape, David Jonsson and Tom Blyth are nominated for their performances in Wasteman. Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgard received nominations for Best Lead Performance and Best Supporting Performance for Pillion. Meanwhile, Robert Aramayo will face off against fellow lead actors for his role in I Swear, which also earned a total of nine nominations.
Notable Nominations and Categories
The list of nominees includes several standout films and performances. Harris Dickinson is recognized for his directorial work in Urchin, which has received nominations for Best Debut Director and Best British Independent Film, contributing to a total of six nominations for the film. Tim Key and Tom Basden are nominated for their joint lead performance in The Ballad of Wallis Island, which secured five nominations in total.
“The BIFAs celebrate the creativity and talent within the independent film sector, showcasing extraordinary stories and performances,” said a BIFA representative.
In the Best International Feature category, films such as It Was Just An Accident by Jafar Panahi and Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier are among the contenders. Additionally, breakthrough producer nominations recognize individuals such as Wyn Baptiste for the activism documentary Shoot the People and Charlotte Knowles for the cross-border documentary Palestine Comedy Club.
The full list of nominees reflects a diverse range of storytelling and talent across various categories. Here are some highlights from the nominations:
– **Best British Independent Film**:
– The Ballad of Wallis Island
– I Swear
– My Father’s Shadow
– Pillion
– Urchin
– **Best Director**:
– Laura Carreira, On Falling
– Akinola Davies Jr., My Father’s Shadow
– Kirk Jones, I Swear
– Harry Lighton, Pillion
– Lynne Ramsay, Die, My Love
– **Best Lead Performance**:
– Robert Aramayo, I Swear
– Frank Dillane, Urchin
– David Jonsson, Wasteman
– Jennifer Lawrence, Die, My Love
– Harry Melling, Pillion
– Cillian Murphy, Steve
The 2025 BIFAs ceremony will celebrate the achievements of filmmakers and actors who have made significant contributions to the independent film landscape. As the event approaches, anticipation builds around the winners and the spotlight it will shine on emerging talent in the industry.
