Indie Biker Drama 'Pillion' Rides Away with Four Major Awards
The 2025 British Independent Film Awards celebrated bold new voices and delivered some major surprises. While several debut filmmakers earned prestigious prizes, one unconventional love story captured the spotlight and walked away with the night's biggest accolades. Find out which stars and features were recognized.
The ceremony for the 2025 British Independent Film Awards was dominated by one picture, with the biker romance _Pillion_ emerging as the evening's main story. The movie secured four prestigious trophies, including the coveted Best British Independent Film, cementing its status as a critical darling.
'Pillion' Takes the Lead
Starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, the film's success was comprehensive. In addition to the top prize, Harry Lighton was honored as Best Debut Screenwriter for his powerful script. The production also recieved recognition for its technical craft, picking up wins for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hair Design.
Skarsgård on the Film's Bold Themes
The creative team behind _Pillion_ recently discussed their process in an interview with _Far Out_, where Skarsgård addressed the movie's edgy subject matter. He recalled the initial reactions to the project. “A lot of people were like, ‘Oh, a BDSM, kinky gay biker movie by a first-time filmmaker – was that scary?’,” the actor shared. But for him, the quality of the writing overshadowed any potential concerns. “It’s an incredible screenplay. It’s so good.”
Skarsgård also praised the director, adding, “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.”
Honors for New Talent and Standout Performances
The celebration of emerging talent continued throughout the event, held at the Roundhouse in London on November 30th. Akinola Davies Jr. was named Best Director for his first feature, _My Father’s Shadow_. Another debut, _The Ballad of Wallis Island_, also had a significant night. Its writers, Tom Basden and Tim Key, won for Best Screenplay and also shared the award for Best Joint Lead Performance for their roles in the film. Other acting honors went to Robert Aramayo, who won Best Lead Performance for _I Swear_, and Jay Lycurgo, who took home Best Supporting Performance for his work in _Steve_.
A First for British Theaters
In a historic moment for the institution, a brand-new category was introduced this year. The inaugural prize for Cinema of the Year was presented to The Magic Lantern Cinema, a beloved theater in Tywyn, Wales, acknowledging its important contribution to the local film community.