The nominations for the 2025 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) have been announced, showcasing a strong lineup of talent. Leading the pack are Akinola Davies Jr.’s coming-of-age drama, My Father’s Shadow, and Harry Lighton’s queer romance, Pillion, with 12 and 10 nominations, respectively. The announcement took place on March 6, 2025, at One Hundred Shoreditch in London, presented by actors Ben Hardy and Saura Lightfoot-Leon. Both films premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, garnering critical acclaim.
Davies’ debut film not only leads the nominations but also earned him a nod for best debut director. The film is recognized in various categories, including best screenplay, where Wale Davies is nominated for his work on My Father’s Shadow. Similarly, Lighton is up for best debut director and best screenplay for Pillion.
In the performance categories, several high-profile actors are in contention. Jennifer Lawrence has received a nomination for her role in Die, My Love, which garnered a total of eight nominations. Cillian Murphy is nominated for his performance in Steve, while David Jonsson and Tom Blyth are recognized for their roles in Wasteman.
Additionally, Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgard are both nominated for their performances in Pillion, competing in the best lead and best supporting performance categories, respectively. Robert Aramayo also joins the race for best lead performance for his role in I Swear, which has received nine nominations.
Notable Categories and Additional Nominations
The nominations have highlighted a diverse array of talent across multiple categories. In the best joint lead performance category, Ebada Hassan and Safiyya Ingar have been nominated for their roles in Brides. They are joined by Tim Key and Tom Basden for The Ballad of Wallis Island, and Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn for Dragonfly. The competition in this category also features Posy Sterling for Lollipop and Connor Tompkins for The Son and The Sea.
The awards also confirmed Warfare as the winner of the best ensemble performance award. The film features an impressive cast, including D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, and Cosmo Jarvis, among others.
In the best international feature category, films such as It Was Just An Accident by Jafar Panahi and Sentimental Value by Joachim Trier are in contention, along with Sirāt by Oliver Laxe, Sorry, Baby by Eva Victor, and Sound of Falling by Mascha Schilinski.
The BIFAs are renowned for celebrating independent cinema in the UK, and this year’s nominations reflect a rich tapestry of creativity and innovation within the industry. Full details of the nominees are available on the BIFA website, and the awards ceremony will take place later this year.
