Pillion, a gay BDSM biker romance, took the top prize at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), announced at a ceremony in London on Sunday. Pillion, adapted from Adam Mars-Jones' novel Box Hill, also won best debut screenwriter for director Harry Lighton, as well as best costume and hair and makeup design. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May to positive reviews, including a four-star rating from the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw, who praised its blend of humor, emotion, and suspense, likening it to a fusion of Alan Bennett and Tom of Finland.
In other categories, the real-time Iraq war drama Warfare tied with Pillion for the most awards, taking home four. However, all of Warfare's wins had been previously announced. Directed by Alex Garland and former US Navy Seal Ray Mendoza, the film won awards for editing, effects, sound, and best ensemble performance for its seven-member cast. A recreation of a real-life mission during the 2006 Iraq War, it was described by Bradshaw as both intense and self-indulgent, with a strong message that sometimes gets lost in the chaos of battle.
The Nigeria-set drama My Father's Shadow, which led the nominations with 12, only won one award, best director for Akinola Davies Jr. The Tourette's activist biopic I Swear, which was also a strong contender, won best lead performance for Robert Aramayo and best casting.
The full list of awards includes:
- 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 and Tim Key, The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Best Supporting Performance: Jay Lycurgo, Steve
- Best Joint Lead Performance: Tim Key and Tom Basden, The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Best Ensemble Performance: Warfare, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, Kit Connor, Finn Bennett, Joseph Quinn, and Charles Melton
- Douglas Hickox Award for Best Debut Director: Cal McMau, Wasteman
- Breakthrough Producer: Dhiraj Mahey and 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
- Richard Harris Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Actor to British Film: Emily Watson
- Special Jury Prize: Warp Films
- Cinema of the Year: Magic Lantern, Tywyn
