On 1 November 2017, Hayley Squires, who won the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) Best Newcomer in 2016, joined Maisie Williams of Game of Thrones to reveal the nominees for the 2017 British Independent Film Awards. The ceremony was scheduled for 10 December 2017 and was set to be hosted by writer and producer Mark Gatiss. The announcement showcased a diverse range of British and international films, directors, writers and craftspeople recognised across the full spectrum of independent filmmaking.
This article lists the official nominees across every category announced that day. The selection highlights acclaimed films such as The Death of Stalin, God’s Own Country, I Am Not a Witch, Lady Macbeth and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and recognises work across directing, writing, performance, technical achievement and debut filmmaking.
Best British Independent Film:
– The Death of Stalin
– God’s Own Country
– I Am Not a Witch
– Lady Macbeth
– Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Best Screenplay (Sponsored by BBC Films):
– The Death of Stalin (Armando Ianucci, David Schneider & Ian Martin)
– God’s Own Country (Francis Lee)
– I Am Not a Witch (Rungano Nyoni)
– Lady Macbeth (Alice Birch)
– Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Martin McDonagh)
Best Director:
– Armando Ianucci (The Death of Stalin)
– Francis Lee (God’s Own Country)
– Rungano Nyoni (I Am Not a Witch)
– William Oldroyd (Lady Macbeth)
– Martin McDonagh (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Best British Short (Supported by BFI Network):
– 1745
– The Entertainer
– Fish Story
– Work
– Wren Boys
Best Actor:
– Jamie Bell (Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool)
– Josh O’Connor (God’s Own Country)
– Alec Secareanu (God’s Own Country)
– Johnny Harris (Jawbone)
– Paddy Considine (Journeyman)
Best Actress (Sponsored by M.A.C. Cosmetics):
– Emily Beecham (Daphne)
– Ruth Wilson (Dark River)
– Margaret Mulubwa (I Am Not a Witch)
– Florence Pugh (Lady Macbeth)
– Frances McDormand (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Best Supporting Actor:
– Steve Buscemi (The Death of Stalin)
– Simon Russell Beale (The Death of Stalin)
– Ian Hart (God’s Own Country)
– Woody Harrelson (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
– Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Best Supporting Actress:
– Andrea Riseborough (The Death of Stalin)
– Julie Walters (Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool)
– Kelly Macdonald (Goodbye Christopher Robin)
– Naomi Ackie (Lady Macbeth)
– Patricia Clarkson (The Party)
Most Promising Newcomer (Sponsored by The London Edition):
– Harry Michell (Chubby Funny)
– Harry Gilby (Just Charlie)
– Cosmo Jarvis (Lady Macbeth)
– Naomi Ackie (Lady Macbeth)
– Lily Newmark (Pin Cushion)
The Discovery Award (Sponsored by Raindance):
– Even When I Fall
– Halfway
– In Another Life
– Isolani
– My Pure Land
The Douglas Hickox Award (Debut Director):
– Francis Lee (God’s Own Country)
– Rungano Nyoni (I Am Not a Witch)
– Thomas Napper (Jawbone)
– William Oldroyd (Lady Macbeth)
– Deborah Haywood (Pin Cushion)
Debut Screenwriter:
– Francis Lee (God’s Own Country)
– Rungano Nyoni (I Am Not a Witch)
– Johnny Harris (Jawbone)
– Alice Birch (Lady Macbeth)
– Gabby Chiappe (Their Finest)
Best Documentary:
– Almost Heaven
– Half Way
– Kingdom of Us
– Uncle Howard
– Williams
Breakthrough Producer (Sponsored by Creativity Media):
– Brendan Mullin & Katy Jackson (Bad Day for the Cut)
– Jack Tarling & Manon Ardisson (God’s Own Country)
– Emily Morgan (I Am Not a Witch)
– Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly (Lady Macbeth)
– Gavin Humphries (Pin Cushion)
Best International Independent Film:
– The Florida Project
– Get Out
– I Am Not Your Negro
– Loveless
– The Square
Best Casting:
– Sarah Crowe (The Death of Stalin)
– Debbie McWilliams (Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool)
– Shaheen Baig & Layla Merrick-Wolf (God’s Own Country)
– Shaheen Baig (Lady Macbeth)
– Sarah Halley Finn (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Best Cinematography (Sponsored by Blackmagic Design):
– David Gallego (I Am Not a Witch)
– Tat Radcliffe (Jawbone)
– Ari Wegner (Lady Macbeth)
– Thomas Riedelsheimer (Leaning Into the Wind)
– Ben Davis (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Best Costume Design:
– Suzie Harman (The Death of Stalin)
– Sandy Powell (How to Talk to Girls at Parties)
– Holly Rebecca (I Am Not a Witch)
– Holly Waddington (Lady Macbeth)
– Dinah Collin (My Cousin Rachel)
Best Editing:
– Peter Lambert (The Death of Stalin)
– David Charap (Jawbone)
– Jon Gregory (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
– Joe Martin (Us and Them)
– Johnny Burke (Williams)
Best Make-Up & Hair Design:
– Jan Sewell (Breathe)
– Nicole Stafford (The Death of Stalin)
– Julene Paton (I Am Not a Witch)
– Nadia Stacey (Journeyman)
– Sian Wilson (Lady Macbeth)
Best Music:
– Christoper Willis (The Death of Stalin)
– Matt Kelly (I Am Not a Witch)
– Paul Weller (Jawbone)
– Fred Frith (Leaning Into the Wind)
– Carter Burwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Best Production Design:
– Cristina Casali (The Death of Stalin)
– Eve Stewart (Film Stars Don’t Die In Liverpool)
– James Merrifield (Final Portrait)
– Nathan Parker (I Am Not a Witch)
– Jacqueline Abrahams (Lady Macbeth)
Best Sound:
– Breathe
– Anna Bertmark (God’s Own Country)
– Maiken Hansen (I Am Not a Witch)
– Andy Shelley & Steve Griffiths (Jawbone)
– Joakim Sundström (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
Best Effects:
– The Death of Stalin
– Dan Martin (Double Date)
– Luke Dodd (Journeyman)
– Nick Allder & Ben White (The Ritual)
– Chris Reynolds (Their Finest)
The 2017 BIFA nominations celebrate both established names and emerging talent across British and international independent cinema. From major category contenders to craft and debut awards, the full slate reflects the variety of voices and styles that define the independent scene.
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