The nominations for the 2025 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) were unveiled on March 6, highlighting a diverse range of films and performances. Leading the pack are Akinola Davies Jr.’s coming-of-age drama My Father’s Shadow and Harry Lighton’s queer romance Pillion. The announcement took place at One Hundred Shoreditch in London, presented by actors Ben Hardy and Saura Lightfoot-Leon.
Davies’ feature film received an impressive total of 12 nominations, while Lighton’s project garnered 10 nods, underscoring their significant impact at this year’s BIFAs. Both films made their debuts at the Cannes Film Festival, where they received critical acclaim, setting the stage for their recognition in the independent film circuit.
Key Nominations and Notable Performances
In the best debut director category, both Davies and Lighton are recognized, alongside Kirk Jones for I Swear and Harris Dickinson for Urchin. The films received nominations in several categories, including best screenplay and best debut screenwriter, showcasing strong narrative contributions.
In the performance categories, several high-profile actors are nominated. Jennifer Lawrence is recognized for her role in Die, My Love, which received a total of eight nominations. Other notable contenders include Cillian Murphy for Steve, as well as David Jonsson and Tom Blyth for Wasteman.
In addition, Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgard are nominated for best lead and supporting performance respectively for their work in Pillion. Robert Aramayo is also a contender for his role in I Swear, which accumulated nine nominations overall.
Breakthrough Talents and International Features
The awards also highlight emerging talents. Ebada Hassan and Safiyya Ingar are nominated for their joint lead performance in Brides, a film directed by Nadia Fall. Both actresses received additional recognition in the breakthrough performance category, competing against Posy Sterling for Lollipop and Connor Tompkins for The Son and The Sea.
In the international feature category, notable films include It Was Just An Accident by Jafar Panahi and Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier. Other entries include Sirāt from Oliver Laxe, Sorry, Baby by Eva Victor, and Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski.
The BIFAs continue to celebrate the vibrancy of British independent cinema. As the ceremony approaches, excitement builds around the recognition of both established and up-and-coming filmmakers, ensuring a dynamic showcase of talent in the industry. The full list of nominees reflects a wide array of genres and styles, further solidifying the British film landscape’s reputation for innovation and creativity.
