Nigeria-set drama 'My Father's Shadow' leads pack at British independent film awards, ahead of highly anticipated Pillion and biopic I Swear.
At the prestigious British Independent Film Awards (Bifas), Nigeria-based Akinola Davies Jr's directorial debut, My Father's Shadow, has emerged as a strong contender, securing 12 nominations, including Best British Independent Film, Best Director for Mr. Davies, and Best Screenplay for his brother Wale Davies. The film outshines Pillion, an adaptation of Adam Mars-Jones' coming-of-age relationship story, which secured 10 nominations, and biopic I Swear, garnering nine.
My Father's Shadow stars Sope Dirisu and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to rave reviews, with critics praising its "transparently personal" tone and moving portrayal of two young boys confronting their absent father for a day. Although the film has yet to hit UK theaters, it has already received widespread acclaim in Nigeria.
Pillion, on the other hand, also had a successful premiere at Cannes in May, earning praise from The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw as "an intensely English story" that blends humor, romance, and loss. Harry Lighton's directorial debut is up for Best British Independent Film, Best Director, and Best Lead Performance for Harry Melling.
I Swear, an adaptation of John Davidson's life story about Tourette syndrome activism, secured nine nominations, including Best British Independent Film, Best Director for Kirk Jones, and Best Lead Performance for Robert Aramayo. The film has been released in cinemas since October.
The Bifas ceremony also includes a new public-voted award for Cinema of the Year, with five contenders vying for the top spot: Depot in Lewes, Magic Lantern in Tywyn, Montrose Playhouse, Queen's Film Theatre in Belfast, and Watershed in Bristol. The winners will be announced at a London ceremony on November 30th.
At the prestigious British Independent Film Awards (Bifas), Nigeria-based Akinola Davies Jr's directorial debut, My Father's Shadow, has emerged as a strong contender, securing 12 nominations, including Best British Independent Film, Best Director for Mr. Davies, and Best Screenplay for his brother Wale Davies. The film outshines Pillion, an adaptation of Adam Mars-Jones' coming-of-age relationship story, which secured 10 nominations, and biopic I Swear, garnering nine.
My Father's Shadow stars Sope Dirisu and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to rave reviews, with critics praising its "transparently personal" tone and moving portrayal of two young boys confronting their absent father for a day. Although the film has yet to hit UK theaters, it has already received widespread acclaim in Nigeria.
Pillion, on the other hand, also had a successful premiere at Cannes in May, earning praise from The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw as "an intensely English story" that blends humor, romance, and loss. Harry Lighton's directorial debut is up for Best British Independent Film, Best Director, and Best Lead Performance for Harry Melling.
I Swear, an adaptation of John Davidson's life story about Tourette syndrome activism, secured nine nominations, including Best British Independent Film, Best Director for Kirk Jones, and Best Lead Performance for Robert Aramayo. The film has been released in cinemas since October.
The Bifas ceremony also includes a new public-voted award for Cinema of the Year, with five contenders vying for the top spot: Depot in Lewes, Magic Lantern in Tywyn, Montrose Playhouse, Queen's Film Theatre in Belfast, and Watershed in Bristol. The winners will be announced at a London ceremony on November 30th.