On 2 November 2023, the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) unveiled the nominees for their annual awards, spotlighting the best of British independent cinema from the year. The list is led by striking debut features Rye Lane and Scrapper, which dominated the nominations.
The nominations were revealed at One Hundred Shoreditch in London during a presentation hosted by actors Susan Wokoma and Morfydd Clark. BIFA’s announcement highlights what the organisation regards as the most imaginative, daring and accomplished independent films released in Britain in 2023.
A total of 26 British feature films appear across the categories. Raine Allen-Miller’s Rye Lane received the most nods, earning 16 nominations, while Charlotte Regan’s Scrapper followed closely with 14. Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers, featuring Paul Mescal, Andrew Scott, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell, also secured 14 nominations. Molly Manning Walker’s How to Have Sex received 13 nominations. Other notable entries include Femme with 11 nominations and The End We Start From with nine.
International titles were also recognised. Cannes Palme d’Or winner Anatomy of a Fall was nominated in the Best International Independent Film category along with acclaimed titles such as Past Lives. The nominations list includes performances from established stars and rising talents alike, with nominees for Best Lead Performance including Tilda Swinton, Andrew Scott and Jodie Comer.
Below are the nominees for the 2023 British Independent Film Awards:
Best British Independent Film
All of Us Strangers
Femme
How to Have Sex
Rye Lane
Scrapper
Best International Independent Film (sponsored by Champagne Taittinger)
Anatomy of a Fall
Fallen Leaves
Fremont
Monster
Past Lives
Best Director (sponsored by Sky Cinema)
Raine Allen-Miller (Rye Lane)
Sam H Freeman & Ng Choon Ping (Femme)
Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers)
Molly Manning Walker (How to Have Sex)
Charlotte Regan (Scrapper)
Best Screenplay (sponsored by Apple Original Films)
Nathan Bryon & Tom Melia (Rye Lane)
Sam H Freeman & Ng Choon Ping (Femme)
Andrew Haigh (All of Us Strangers)
Molly Manning Walker (How to Have Sex)
Charlotte Regan (Scrapper)
Best Lead Performance
Jodie Comer (The End We Start From)
Mia McKenna-Bruce (How to Have Sex)
Tia Nomore (Earth Mama)
Nabhaan Rizwan (In Camera)
Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers)
Tilda Swinton (The Eternal Daughter)
Best Supporting Performance
Ritu Arya (Polite Society)
Jamie Bell (All of Us Strangers)
Samuel Bottomley (How to Have Sex)
Alexandra Burke (Pretty Red Dress)
Amir El-Masry (In Camera)
Claire Foy (All of Us Strangers)
Paul Mescal (All of Us Strangers)
Alia Shawkat (Drift)
Shaun Thomas (How to Have Sex)
Katherine Waterston (The End We Start From)
Best Joint Lead Performance
Lola Campbell & Harris Dickinson (Scrapper)
David Jonsson & Vivian Oparah (Rye Lane)
Nathan Stewart-Jarrett & George MacKay (Femme)
The Douglas Hickox Award — Best Debut Director (sponsored by BBC Film)
Raine Allen-Miller (Rye Lane)
Sam H Freeman & Ng Choon Ping (Femme)
Savanah Leaf (Earth Mama)
Molly Manning Walker (How to Have Sex)
Charlotte Regan (Scrapper)
Breakthrough Producer (sponsored by Pinewood and Shepperton Studios)
Theo Barrowclough (Scrapper)
Georgia Goggin (Pretty Red Dress)
Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo (Rye Lane)
Gannesh Rajah (If the Streets Were on Fire)
Chi Thai (Raging Grace)
Breakthrough Performance (sponsored by Netflix)
Le’Shantey Bonsu (Girl)
Lola Campbell (Scrapper)
Priya Kansara (Polite Society)
Mia McKenna-Bruce (How to Have Sex)
Vivian Oparah (Rye Lane)
Best Debut Screenwriter (sponsored by Film4)
Nathan Bryon & Tom Melia (Rye Lane)
Sam H Freeman & Ng Choon Ping (Femme)
Molly Manning Walker (How to Have Sex)
Nida Manzoor (Polite Society)
Charlotte Regan (Scrapper)
Best Debut Director — Feature Documentary
Chloe Abrahams (The Taste of Mango)
Sophie Compton & Reuben Hamlyn (Another Baby)
Ella Glendining (Is There Anybody Out There?)
Alice Russell (If the Streets Were on Fire)
Christopher Sharp (Bobi Wine: The People’s President)
The Raindance Maverick Award
If the Streets Were on Fire
Is There Anybody Out There?
Name Me Lawand
Raging Grace
Red Herring
Best Feature Documentary (sponsored by Intermission Film)
Another Body
Bobi Wine: The People’s President
If the Streets Were on Fire
Lyra
Occupied City
Best British Short Film
Christopher At Sea
Festival of Slaps
Lions
Muna
The Talent
Best Casting (sponsored by Casting Society & Spotlight)
Shaheen Baig (Scrapper)
Kharmel Cochrane (Rye Lane)
Kahleen Crawford (All of Us Strangers)
Isabella Odoffin (How to Have Sex)
Salome Oggenfuss, Geraldine Barón & Abby Harri (Earth Mama)
Best Cinematography (sponsored by Harbor & Kodak)
Olan Collardy (Rye Lane)
Suzie Lavelle (The End We Start From)
Molly Manning Walker (Scrapper)
Jamie D. Ramsay (All of Us Strangers)
James Rhodes (Femme)
Best Costume Design
George Buxton (How to Have Sex)
Oliver Cronk (Scrapper)
Buki Ebiesuwa (Femme)
Cynthia Lawrence-John (Rye Lane)
PC Williams (The End We Start From)
Best Editing
Jonathan Alberts (All of Us Strangers)
Victoria Boydell (Rye Lane)
Paul Carlin (Bobi Wine: The People’s President)
Avdhesh Mohla (High & Low — John Galliano)
Arttu Salmi (The End We Start From)
Best Effects
Paddy Eason (Polite Society)
Theodor Flo-Groeneboom (The End We Start From)
Jonathan Gales & Richard Baker (The Kitchen)
Best Music Supervision
Ciara Elwis (Femme)
Connie Farr (All of Us Strangers)
David Fish (Rye Lane)
Best Make-Up & Hair Design (sponsored by The Wall Group)
Zoe Clare Brown (All of Us Strangers)
Claire Carter (Polite Society)
Marie Deehan (Femme)
Natasha Lawes (How to Have Sex)
Bianca Simone Scott (Rye Lane)
Best Original Music (sponsored by Universal Music Publishing Group)
Adam Janota Bzowski (Femme)
Patrick Jonsson (Scrapper)
Kwes (Rye Lane)
Anna Meredith (The End We Start From)
Ré Olunuga (Girl)
Best Production Design (sponsored by ATC & Broadsword)
Laura Ellis Cricks (The End We Start From)
Sarah Finlay (All of Us Strangers)
Elena Muntoni (Scrapper)
Nathan Parker (The Kitchen)
Anna Rhodes (Rye Lane)
Best Sound (supported by Halo)
Scrapper
How to Have Sex
All of Us Strangers
Enys Men
The End We Start From
These nominations reflect a diverse and vibrant year for British independent filmmaking, showcasing both established filmmakers and fresh voices. From intimate dramas to bold debut features, the BIFA shortlist highlights the creative range and technical excellence present across the UK film scene in 2023. Winners will be announced at the BIFA ceremony, where the industry gathers to celebrate innovation, storytelling and the talents that drive independent cinema forward.