Harry Lighton's debut feature 'Pillion' dominated the 2025 British Independent Film Awards, winning Best British Independent Film along with three other categories. The ceremony, held at London's Roundhouse, celebrated emerging talent with awards for films like 'My Father's Shadow' and 'Sentimental Value.' Key performances by Robert Aramayo and Jay Lycurgo also took home honors.
Event Overview
The 2025 British Independent Film Awards took place on November 30 at The Roundhouse in London, honoring outstanding achievements in independent filmmaking. Presenters including Carey Mulligan, Stephen Merchant, Ruth Wilson, Celia Imrie, and Billy Crudup added star power to the evening, which highlighted debuts and craft excellence.
Key Wins for 'Pillion'
'Pillion,' a BDSM romance directed by Harry Lighton, secured the night's top prize for Best British Independent Film. The film, which premiered at Cannes earlier in 2025 and is set for a U.S. release via A24, stars Alexander Skarsgård as a charismatic biker and Harry Melling as a timid young man drawn into his world. It also won Best Debut Screenwriter for Lighton, Best Costume Design for Grace Snell, and Best Make Up & Hair Design for Diandra Ferreira. Celia Imrie presented the Best British Independent Film award to the team.
Directing and Performance Honors
Akinola Davies Jr. earned Best Director for his Nigeria-set debut 'My Father's Shadow,' produced by Element Pictures and also a Cannes premiere. Despite leading nominations with 11 nods, it took home just this win. In performances, Robert Aramayo won Best Lead Performance for portraying a Tourette's campaigner in 'I Swear,' edging out nominees like Jennifer Lawrence and Cillian Murphy. Jay Lycurgo received Best Supporting Performance for his role as a troubled student in Tim Mielants's 'Steve.'
Screenplay and Other Categories
Tom Basden and Tim Key swept Best Screenplay and Best Joint Lead Performance for their music drama 'The Ballad of Wallis Island,' about a faded folk musician reuniting with his partner. Cal McMau won the Douglas Hickox Award for Best Debut Director with 'Wasteman,' while Dhiraj Mahey was named Breakthrough Producer for 'Ish.' Posy Sterling claimed Breakthrough Performance for 'Lollipop.'
Internationally, Joaquim Trier's 'Sentimental Value' won Best International Independent Film. 'A Want in Her' by Myrid Carten took Best Feature Documentary. Warp Films received the Special Jury Prize for its 25-year legacy of raw storytelling, as noted by jury members Genevieve O'Reilly and Daniel Mays: "Their commitment to telling raw and relevant stories... is unflinching and uncompromising." The inaugural Cinema of the Year went to The Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn, Wales.
The BIFAs continue to spotlight future talent, with full craft winners including Best Cinematography for Seamus McGarvey's work on 'Die My Love' and Best Sound for 'Warfare.'