Putting British Independent Film at the Heart of the UK’s Creative and Cultural Landscape

We celebrate, promote and support talent and creativity in British independent film, to develop a rich, inclusive, and sustainable independent film culture in the UK

BIFA (British Independent Film Awards C.I.C.) is an internationally renowned organisation that celebrates, promotes, and supports independent filmmaking and filmmakers in the UK.

Founded in 1998, BIFA has championed the best and most innovative independently funded British filmmaking for over 25 years, working at the heart of the industry to nurture emerging talent, promote fair practice, and develop a broader, more inclusive audience for British independent film.

We are a Community Interest Company, driving a British independent film revival, harnessing the power of British creativity to enrich lives through independent film.

We celebrate the best of British independent film

The annual British Independent Film Awards highlight the brightest lights of British independent filmmaking. A rigorous discussion-based process reveals the best independent films of the year, and awards outstanding achievement from on- and off-screen talent.

We recognise the next big thing

At BIFA, we take pride in celebrating tomorrow’s stars today. That’s why we were the first major awards body to identify the likes of Ben Whishaw, Andrea Riseborough, John Boyega, Florence Pugh, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Letitia Wright, as well as filmmakers like Shane Meadows, Lynne Ramsay, Asif Kapadia, Steve McQueen and Clio Barnard.

We connect British independent film to the public

We recognise the cultural benefits of a thriving independent film culture and therefore strive to promote outstanding British independent films and filmmaking talent to a wider audience, with a particular focus on 18 to 25-year-olds. To help ensure that British independent films speak to the entirety of the British public, we use our platform to promote diverse stories to diverse audiences, across the length and breadth of the UK and via our social channels, encouraging conversation and engagement with these exceptional films.

We nurture emerging talent

Our Springboard programme provides professional development and networking opportunities for some of the UK’s most exciting emerging writers, directors and producers, helping them to fulfil their potential and ensuring the good health of the British independent film industry for many years to come.

We meet the needs of the industry

Our situation at the heart of the industry allows us to respond quickly to filmmakers’ changing needs and to provide solutions that affect long-lasting and meaningful change, building towards a more sustainable and accessible industry. Our newly expanded suite of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Training has been rolled out to organisations across the industry, and covers Unconscious Bias, Anti-Bullying and Harassment, and Fair Recruitment and Inclusivity in the Workplace.