The unconventional gay BDSM biker romance Pillion secured the coveted Best Film award at the 2024 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), which were presented at a ceremony in London on Sunday. The film tied for the highest number of wins, claiming four awards alongside the real-time Iraq war drama Warfare.
A Night of Surprises and Acclaim
Adapted from Adam Mars-Jones's novel Box Hill and directed by Harry Lighton, Pillion proved to be a major winner of the night. In addition to the top honour, it collected awards for Best Debut Screenwriter for Lighton, and for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hair Design. The film, which stars Alexander Skarsgård, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May to critical praise, with The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw describing it as "funny and touching and alarming".
Warfare, co-written and directed by Alex Garland and former US Navy Seal Ray Mendoza, matched Pillion's haul with its four previously announced technical awards. It won for Best Editing, Best Effects, Best Sound, and the Best Ensemble Performance award for its seven principal actors. The intense war film recreates a real-life 2006 mission in Iraq.
Notable Wins and Nomination Surprises
While the Nigeria-set drama My Father's Shadow entered the evening with a leading 12 nominations, it ultimately won a single award: Best Director for Akinola Davies Jr. The Tourette activist biopic I Swear fared better, securing two wins: Best Lead Performance for Robert Aramayo and Best Casting.
The Richard Harris award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film was presented to Emily Watson, while a special jury prize was awarded to production company Warp Films. The Magic Lantern cinema in Tywyn was named Cinema of the Year.
Complete List of BIFA 2024 Winners
The full roster of winners at the British Independent Film Awards is as follows:
- Best British Independent Film: Pillion
- Best Director: Akinola Davies Jr, My Father's Shadow
- Best Lead Performance: Robert Aramayo, I Swear
- Best Screenplay: Tom Basden, Tim Key, The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Best Supporting Performance: Jay Lycurgo, Steve
- Best Joint Lead Performance: Tim Key, Tom Basden, The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Best Ensemble Performance: Warfare cast
- Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director): Cal McMau, Wasteman
- Breakthrough Producer: Dhiraj Mahey, Ish
- Breakthrough Performance: Posy Sterling, Lollipop
- Best Debut Screenwriter: Harry Lighton, Pillion
- Best Debut Director – Feature Documentary: Myrid Carten, A Want in Her
- Raindance Maverick Award: A Want in Her, Myrid Carten
- Best Feature Documentary: A Want in Her
- Best British Short Film: Magid/Zafar
- Best International Independent Film: Sentimental Value
- Best Casting: I Swear
- Best Cinematography: Die My Love
- Best Costume Design: Pillion
- Best Editing: Warfare
- Best Effects: Warfare
- Best Music Supervision: Die My Love
- Best Makeup and Hair Design: Pillion
- Best Original Music: The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Best Production Design: Harvest
- Best Sound: Warfare
