Saint Maud leads British independent film award nominations
Psychological horror Saint Maud has emerged at the front of the pack for the British independent film awards (Bifas), closely followed by supernatural thriller His House and Rocks, the widely acclaimed film about east London schoolchildren.
Saint Maud, written and directed by Rose Glass, recorded 17 nominations, including best British independent film, best director and best screenplay for Glass, and best actress for Morfydd Clark. Glass was also nominated for best debut director.
Remi Weekes’s His House, another debut feature, received 16 nominations; the spooky thriller about refugee couple in England whose house appears to be haunted is also up for best British independent film, best director and best screenplay, as well as best actor and best actress for its leads Wunmi Mosaku and S o pe ́ Dìrísù.
Rocks, which was greeted with a five-star review from the Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw on its premiere at the Toronto film festival in 2019, is just behind on 15, with three of its cast nominated: Bukky Bakray for best actress, Kosar Ali for best supporting actress, and D’angelou Osei Kissiedu for best supporting actor.
Anthony Hopkins is nominated for his first Bifa for his lead role as a man affected by dementia in The Father, while Riz Ahmed is nominated in four different categories: best actor, debut screenwriter and best screenplay for Mogul Mowgli, and for best short film for The Long Goodbye, which he cocreated and acted in.
The winners are to be announced in February, but no announcement has yet been made on what kind of event will be staged.
Full list of nominations
Best British independent filmCalm With HorsesThe FatherHis HouseRocks Saint Maud
Best directorSarah Gavron and associate director Anu Henriques, RocksRose Glass, Saint Maud Nick Rowland, Calm With Horses Remi Weekes, His House Florian Zeller, The Father
Best screenplayRose Glass, Saint Maud Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson, Rocks Bassam Tariq, Riz Ahmed, Mogul Mowgli Remi Weekes, His House Florian Zeller, Christopher Hampton, The Father
Best actressBukky Bakray, RocksMorfydd Clark, Saint MaudClare Dunne, HerselfWunmi Mosaku, His HouseAndrea Riseborough, Luxor
Best actorRiz Ahmed, Mogul Mowgli p Dìrísù, His House Amir El-Masry, Limbo Anthony Hopkins, The Father Cosmo Jarvis, Calm With Horses
Best supporting actressNiamh Algar, Calm With HorsesKosar Ali, RocksJennifer Ehle, Saint MaudAshley Madekwe, County LinesFiona Shaw, Kindred
Best supporting actorHarris Dickinson, County Lines Barry Keoghan, Calm With Horses Alyy Khan, Mogul Mowgli Merab Ninidze, The Courier D’angelou Osei Kissiedu, Rocks
Douglas Hickox award (debut director)Henry Blake, County LinesRose Glass, Saint MaudEva Riley, Perfect 10Nick Rowland, Calm With HorsesRemi Weekes, His House
Breakthrough producerDouglas Cox, Host [also produced by Emily Gotto, Samuel Zimmerman] Daniel Emmerson, Calm With Horses Irune Gurtubai, Limbo [also produced by Angus Lamont] Oliver Kassman, Saint Maud [also produced by Andrea Cornwell] Edward King, Martin Gentles, His House [also produced by Aidan Elliott, Roy Lee, Arnon Milchan]
Debut screenwriterRiz Ahmed, Mogul Mowgli [also written by Bassam Tariq]Rose Glass, Saint MaudTheresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson, RocksJoe Murtagh, Calm With HorsesRemi Weekes,
His House
Most promising newcomerNiamh Algar, Calm With Horses Kosar Ali, Rocks Bukky Bakray, Rocks Frankie Box, Perfect 10 Conrad Khan, County Lines
Best documentaryThe Australian DreamBeing a Human PersonThe Reason I JumpRising PhoenixWhite Riot
Raindance discovery awardJustineLootedOne Man and His Shoes Perfect 10Rose: A Love Story
Best British short filmFilipiñanaThe Forgotten CThe Long Goodbye MandemSudden Light
Best international independent filmBabyteethLes MisérablesNever Rarely Sometimes AlwaysNomadlandNotturno
Best castingCalm With Horses Saint Maud His House Limbo Rocks
Best cinematographyLimboSaint Maud Rocks Mogul Mowgli His House
Best costume designThe Secret Garden RocksSaint MaudAmmoniteMisbehaviour
Best editingHis House The FatherRocks Host Saint Maud
Best effectsUndergodsSaint MaudHis House
Best make up and hair designSaint MaudHis HouseAmmoniteRocksMisbehaviour
Best music His House Mogul Mowgli The Reason I Jump Rocks Saint Maud
Best production designHis HouseMisbehaviourThe FatherUndergodsSaint Maud
Best soundHis HouseSaint Maud Mogul Mowgli The Reason I JumpHost