Biker romance Pillion has picked up the top prize at the British Independent Film Awards.
The film’s first-time feature writer and director Harry Lighton was also named best debut screenwriter at the ceremony, held at the Roundhouse in Camden, London, on Sunday evening.
Starring Harry Melling as sweet and timid Colin, and Alexander Skarsgard as rugged biker Ray, the film picked up four prizes in total – including craft wins for best costume design and make-up and hair.
Members of Kneecap holding director Rich Peppiatt. Pic: PA
Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman. Pic: PA
Tom Basden and Tim Key took home the BIFA awards for best joint lead performance and best screenplay, for their debut feature The Ballad Of Wallis Island. Also starring Carey Mulligan, the film tells the story of a faded folk musician and his former partner who reluctantly reunite for an eccentric fan.
Elsewhere in the acting categories, Robert Aramayo was honoured with the best lead performance award for his portrayal of Tourette’s campaigner John Davison in I Swear, with the supporting performance award going to Jay Lycurgo for his role in pressure-cooker school drama Steve, also starring Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy.
Newcomer Posy Sterling’s portrayal of a mother fighting for custody of her children in Lollipop earned her the breakthrough performance award, while the best ensemble performance prize went to the cast of Warfare – including Will Poulter, Kit Connor, Joseph Quinn and Charles Melton.
Jack Lowden and Saoirse Ronan. Pic: PA
This year’s ceremony also celebrated cinema itself, with the inaugural cinema of the year award going to The Magic Lantern Cinema in the Welsh coastal town of Tywyn.
The BIFA for best international independent film was awarded to Sentimental Value, Joachim Trier’s intimate exploration of family, memories and the reconciliatory power of art.
Behind the camera, Akinola Davies Jr was named best director for his debut feature My Father’s Shadow, a story of two brothers who first come to understand their father at a pivotal moment in both his life and Nigerian history, while The Douglas Hickox Award for best debut director went to Cal McMau for prison drama Wasteman.
Robert Aramayo in I Swear. Pic: StudioCanal
And in the documentary categories, Myrid Carten’s exploration of mental health and addiction within her family, A Want In Her, picked up three BIFAs – best feature documentary, The Raindance Maverick Award, and best debut director for a feature documentary.
Elsewhere, Emily Watson, star of films including Gosford Park, Punch-Drunk Love and War Horse, and TV series including Chernobyl and Dune: Prophecy, was awarded the outstanding contribution to British film prize.
Tim Key (left) as Charles Heath and Tom Basden as Herb McGwyer in The Ballad Of Wallis Island. Pic: Focus Features, LLC/ Alistair Heap
Production company Warp Films – behind films such as Dead Man’s Shoes and This Is England, as well as the recent critically acclaimed series Adolescence – was honoured with the BIFA special jury prize for its “unflinching and uncompromising” commitment to telling “raw and relevant stories”.
Sophie Okonedo. Pic: PA
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Founded in 1998, the BIFAs aim to celebrate, promote and support talent and creativity in British independent film.
Previous winners of the best independent film award include Kneecap, the semi-autobiographical story of Irish-language rappers Kneecap, and Oscar winner The Favourite.
Jessie Buckley. Pic: PA
This year’s ceremony was hosted by comedians Lou Sanders and Harriet Kemsley, with Carey Mulligan, Stephen Merchant, Ruth Wilson, Billy Crudup and Celia Imrie among the star presenters.
