The nominations for the 2025 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) have been unveiled, showcasing standout films from the past year. Leading the pack are Akinola Davies Jr.’s coming-of-age film, My Father’s Shadow, and Harry Lighton’s romantic drama, Pillion. The announcement took place on Monday at One Hundred Shoreditch in London, with actors Ben Hardy and Saura Lightfoot-Leon revealing the nominees. Davies’ film received a remarkable 12 nominations, while Lighton’s feature garnered 10 nominations.
Both films made their debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where they received critical acclaim. This recognition has translated into multiple nominations for both directors in categories such as Best Debut Director and Best Screenplay. Other notable films also featured strong nominations, with Die, My Love starring Jennifer Lawrence receiving eight nods, and Steve, featuring Cillian Murphy, also recognized.
The competitive spirit in the performance categories is evident, with high-profile nominees including David Jonsson and Tom Blyth for their roles in Wasteman, and Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgard nominated for their performances in Pillion. Robert Aramayo is also in contention for Best Lead Performance for his role in I Swear, another film that has received a total of nine nominations.
Noteworthy Categories and Awards
The nominations also highlight emerging talent in various categories. The Best Joint Lead Performance category features a diverse range of nominees, including Ebada Hassan and Safiyya Ingar for their performances in Brides, alongside Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn for Dragonfly. Both Hassan and Ingar have also secured nominations for Breakthrough Performance.
In a notable win, Warfare, directed by Alex Garfield, received the Best Ensemble Performance award. This film is recognized for its strong cast, which includes D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, and Cosmo Jarvis, among others.
The Best International Feature category includes films such as It Was Just An Accident by Jafar Panahi and Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier, showcasing a diverse array of international cinema.
Complete List of Nominees
The full list of nominees for the 2025 BIFAs covers a wide range of categories, reflecting the richness of independent film in the UK. Here are some highlights:
– **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
– **Best Ensemble Performance**
– D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Joseph Quinn, Charles Melton, Warfare (WINNER)
As the awards ceremony approaches, the excitement surrounding the BIFAs continues to grow, with the event set to celebrate the creativity and talent within the British independent film industry.
