Pillion Dominates 2025 British Independent Film Awards With Four Wins

The 2025 British Independent Film Awards turned the spotlight on the daring romance drama Pillion, which swept the evening with four major wins. The film, featuring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, clinched the coveted Best British Independent Film award, marking a standout moment for the cast and crew. Harry Lighton, making his screenwriting debut, also took home the Best Debut Screenwriter trophy, while the film’s creative team was recognized for their exceptional work in both Costume Design and Make Up and Hair Design.

During a recent interview with Far Out, Skarsgård opened up about his experience working on the project.

A lot of people were like, ‘Oh, a BDSM, kinky gay biker movie by a first-time filmmaker – was that scary?’. It’s an incredible screenplay. It’s so good.

He went on to share,

And then I had one conversation with Harry Lighton…and he’s extraordinary… I just felt so confident in him and his ability to kind of tell this story in the right way, so I didn’t hesitate for a second.

Celebrating New Voices and Creative Excellence

The awards ceremony, held at the Roundhouse in London on November 30, also recognized a range of fresh talent and innovative storytelling. Akinola Davies Jr was honored with Best Director for his debut feature, My Father’s Shadow, highlighting the event’s commitment to spotlighting emerging filmmakers. The Best Screenplay award went to Tom Basden and Tim Key for their first feature, The Ballad of Wallis Island, a project that also earned them the Best Joint Lead Performance prize.

In the acting categories, Robert Aramayo was celebrated for his leading role in I Swear, while Jay Lycurgo received the Best Supporting Performance award for his work in Steve. These wins underscored the depth of talent present in this year’s competition, with both newcomers and established actors taking home honors.

Honoring Cinematic Spaces

For the first time in the history of the British Independent Film Awards, a new category was introduced to recognize outstanding movie theaters. The inaugural Cinema of the Year award was presented to The Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn, Wales, acknowledging its unique contribution to the film community and its role in supporting independent cinema.

This year’s ceremony not only celebrated the achievements of filmmakers and actors but also shined a light on the spaces that bring these stories to audiences, making the 2025 event a memorable occasion for the British film industry.