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Cannes-Winning "My Father's Shadow" Leads 2025 British Independent Film Awards
3 Nov, 2025
Summary
- "My Father's Shadow" earns 12 BIFA nominations, including best film and director
- Debut films "Pillion" and "Urchin" also earn multiple nods
- "I Swear" about Tourette's campaigner John Davison scores 9 nominations
The 2025 British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) are set to be a showcase for emerging talent, with several debut features earning top nominations. Leading the pack is Akinola Davies Jr.'s "My Father's Shadow," which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. The film, set against the backdrop of political unrest in 1993 Nigeria, has earned 12 BIFA nominations, including for best British independent film and best director.
Close behind are two other directorial debuts that premiered at Cannes' Un Certain Regard competition. Harry Lighton's "Pillion," a kinky queer romance starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, earned 10 nominations, including for best director and screenplay. Harris Dickinson's "Urchin" also landed 6 nods, including for best British independent film and lead performance.
