Aftersun wins big at the British Independent Film Awards

Charlotte Wells' Aftersun starring Paul Mescal and Frankie Corio was the big winner at the 25th British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).

The drama took home seven prizes including best British Independent Film.

Paul Mescal plays Calum, a young single father who takes his daughter Sophie (Corio) on holiday to Turkey. A simple storyline unfolds, showing the complexity of their relationship.

Adult Sophie is portrayed by Celia Rowlson-Hall, who looks back at the holiday 20 years in the future.

Making her feature film debut - director and writer, Charlotte Wells, won three awards: Best Director, Best Debut Director and Best Screenplay.

The seven awards taken home on the night were in addition to three craft BIFAs that Aftersun was previously announced as winning.

The film led nominations with 16 nods in the awards’ first year with gender-neutral acting categories.

Georgia Oakley's Blue Jean took home a number of awards, including: Best Lead Performance for Rosy McEwen and Best Supporting Performance for Kerrie Hayes. Additionally, Oakley was awarded Best Debut Screenwriter.

Safia Oakley-Green won Breakthrough Performance for The Origin, a feature about a nomadic tribe facing a terrifying ancient threat.

The Silent Twins' Tamara Lawrance and Letitia Wright took home the award for Best Joint Lead Performance.

Scooping the prize for Best Ensemble, Our River... Our Sky tells the story of neighbours caught in Baghdad during the civil war of 2006.

Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person in the World won Best International Independent Film.

Samantha Morton was presented the Richard Harris award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film, following a 30-year career in acting and directing.

Held in Old Billingsgate, London, the ceremony was hosted by Ben Bailey Smith. BIFA was created in 1998 - designed to celebrate and promote British independent cinema and filmmaking talent in the UK.

The organisation’s 25th anniversary saw BIFA make the move to award five acting accolades with no mention of actor or actress as well as adding a selection of new performance awards.

Check out our interview with Aftersun's Charlotte Wells and Frankie Corio in the latest issue of Hot Press.