Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow has emerged as the front-runner at the 2025 British Independent Film Awards (BIFA), earning 12 nominations including Best British Independent Film and Best Director. The film, set in politically turbulent 1990s Nigeria, leads a competitive field that includes Harry Lighton’s Pillion with 10 nominations and Kirk Jones’ I Swear with nine. The ceremony will take place on November 30 at London’s Roundhouse.
The British Independent Film Awards celebrate the best of the U.K.’s creative and independent cinema. This year’s nominations highlight the emergence of new voices and diverse storytelling.
Leading the pack, My Father’s Shadow—Davies’ feature debut starring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù—depicts a young man’s struggle amid political arrest in 1993 Lagos. Following closely, Pillion, a Cannes-premiered queer romance from Harry Lighton starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, earned 10 nominations. Kirk Jones’ I Swear, based on the true story of Tourette’s campaigner John Davison, received nine nominations, including four acting nods.
Other top contenders include Lynne Ramsay’s Die My Love (8 nominations) and Alex Garland’s Warfare (7 nominations), which also secured the Ensemble Performance Award.
Industry and Critical Response
Film analysts have hailed My Father’s Shadow as a breakout success for Akinola Davies Jr., previously known for his short Lizard which won at Sundance. “Davies brings a poetic realism to Nigerian history,” noted critic Mark Kermode. Meanwhile, Element Pictures—backing both My Father’s Shadow and Pillion—has been praised for fostering bold directorial debuts.
BIFA’s artistic director Amy Gustin remarked, “This year’s nominations showcase the extraordinary diversity and courage of British storytelling.”
What It Means for British Indie Cinema
The dominance of debut films at the 2025 BIFAs underscores a generational shift in British independent filmmaking. My Father’s Shadow leads this transformation, representing global themes through a distinctly local lens. Its recognition alongside Pillion and I Swear reinforces the awards’ reputation for spotlighting boundary-pushing cinema.
With industry eyes on London’s Roundhouse, BIFA’s results could influence BAFTA shortlists and Oscars’ International Feature buzz later this season.
BIFA Ceremony Details
The 2025 BIFA ceremony will take place on November 30 at The Roundhouse, London, where winners in 30 categories will be announced.
Full nomination lists are available on the official BIFA website. My Father’s Shadow remains the film to beat as the British indie community prepares for its biggest night of the year.
