Pillion wins top honours at the British Independent Film Awards with four major victories
Pillion emerged as the standout winner at the British Independent Film Awards in London, capturing four major awards including the coveted Best British Independent Film. The debut feature by Harry Lighton impressed both audiences and jurors, cementing its place as one of the strongest British films of the year. The film tells the story of a charismatic biker who steps into the life of a shy young man, with Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling leading the cast.
Celia Imrie presented the award for Best British Independent Film to the Pillion team. The honour marked a major breakthrough for Lighton, who also collected the award for Best Debut Screenwriter. The film’s success continued in the craft categories, where it won Best Costume Design and Best Make Up and Hair Design. These wins reflected the film’s strong visual identity and the commitment of a production team determined to create a world that felt authentic and compelling.
Akinola Davies Jr won Best Director for his debut feature My Fathers Shadow, a film that has attracted widespread praise for its emotional depth and creative approach to storytelling. His recognition signalled one of the strongest directing debuts in recent years and added to the growing acclaim for the project. Tom Basden and Tim Key earned the award for Best Screenplay for their debut feature The Ballad of Wallis Island. The film follows a faded folk musician and his former partner who reluctantly reunite for an eccentric fan. Their performances in the film were also celebrated, with the pair receiving the award for Best Joint Lead Performance.
In the debut director category, Cal McMau received the Douglas Hickox Award for Wasteman, continuing a strong showing of fresh talent throughout the evening. The Breakthrough Producer award went to Dhiraj Mahey for Ish, which was also produced by Bennett McGhee. Their work highlighted the importance of new voices in the independent film sector and the increasing range of stories emerging from the British film landscape.
Robert Aramayo won Best Lead Performance for his portrayal of John Davison in I Swear, a role that has drawn praise for its subtlety and emotional power. The award for Best Supporting Performance went to Jay Lycurgo for his work in Tim Mielants’s Steve, recognising his ability to bring depth and nuance to the screen.
International cinema was also celebrated at the ceremony. The award for Best International Independent Film went to Joaquim Trier’s Sentimental Value, reflecting the strong global presence within the independent film community and the commitment of the British Independent Film Awards to showcasing a diverse range of voices.
A major moment in the ceremony came when Warp Films received the BIFA Special Jury Prize. Jury members Genevieve OReilly and Daniel Mays presented the award, paying tribute to the company’s significant influence on British film and television. In a statement, the jury praised Warp Films for its consistent commitment to raw and relevant storytelling. They highlighted the company’s long record of powerful work, including projects such as Dead Mans Shoes, This Is England, Adolescence and Reunion. The jurors said that Warp Films has repeatedly shown that audiences have a real appetite for unvarnished stories that reflect the truth of lived experience.
The first ever BIFA Cinema of the Year award was presented to The Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn, Wales. The honour celebrated the venue’s dedication to supporting independent film and its role as a cultural hub for the local community. The award also highlighted the importance of independent cinemas across the United Kingdom in bringing diverse stories to audiences and sustaining the independent film ecosystem.
Pillion’s achievements at the ceremony mark a major moment for independent filmmaking in the United Kingdom. With strong recognition for both emerging and established talent, the awards reflect a dynamic year for the industry and the continued importance of creative risk taking.