BIFA 2024 Feature Film Entries
Entry to BIFA 2024 is now closed
rules and eligibility
This page is best viewed on a laptop or desktop – phones and tablets may distort or omit parts of the tables. A PDF of all of this information is available to download here.
The British Independent Film Awards are for theatrical feature films and short films. The majority of categories are only open to British independent films. There are separate eligibility criteria for international independent films.
There have been a number of updates to the rules and eligibility requirements for this year’s awards process. For a summary of these changes, click here.
_
Timeline
Please click here for full timeline information
ENTRY DEADLINES & FEES
Please click here for entry deadlines and fee information
_
Categories
Category |
Named nominee(s) / recipient(s) |
Eligible films |
Winner decided by… |
| Best British Independent Film | Director, Screenwriter(s), Producer(s) | British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Director | Director | British features | Filmmaker Jury |
| Best Screenplay | Screenwriter(s) | British features | Filmmaker Jury |
| Best Lead Performance | Lead Performers | British features | Performance Jury |
| Best Supporting Performance | Supporting Performers | British features | Performance Jury |
| Best Joint Lead Performance | Lead Performers | British features | Performance Jury |
| Best Ensemble | Ensemble Performers | British features | Performance Jury |
| Breakthrough Performance | British Lead & Supporting Performers | British features | Performance Jury |
| The Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director) |
British Director | British features | Filmmaker Jury |
| Best Debut Director – Feature Documentary | British Director | British features | Filmmaker Jury |
| Best Debut Screenwriter | British Screenwriter(s) | British features | Filmmaker Jury |
| Breakthrough Producer | British Producer(s) | British features | Filmmaker Jury |
| Best Feature Documentary | Director(s) & Producer(s) | British features | BIFA voters |
| The Raindance Maverick Award | Director, Screenwriter(s), Producer(s)
Entrants may choose to nominate all or any of the above-listed people |
British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Casting | Casting Director | British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Cinematography | Director of Photography | British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Costume Design | Costume Designer | British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Editing | Editor | British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Effects | Special Effects Supervisor(s) Visual Effects Supervisor(s) |
British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Make-Up & Hair Design | Make-Up Designer Hair Designer |
British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Original Music | Composer | British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Music Supervision | Composer or Music Supervisor | British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Production Design | Production Designer | British features | BIFA voters |
| Best Sound |
The following professionals may be entered, up to a maximum of five people:
– Sound Designer / Supervising Sound Editor / HoD
– Dialogue Supervisor / Editor
– SFX Supervisor / Editor
– Re-Recording Mixer
– Production Sound Mixer / Sound Recordist
|
British features | BIFA voters |
| Best British Short Film | Director, Screenwriter(s), Producer(s) | British short films | BIFA voters |
| Best International Independent Film | Director, Screenwriter(s), Producer(s) | International features | BIFA voters |
| The Richard Harris Award | British Performer | Individual | Nomination Committee & Board |
| The Special Jury Prize | Individual or organisation (usually not eligible in other categories) | Individual or organisation | BIFA Juries |
_
VOTING & ADJUDICATION PROCESS
More details about the BIFA voting and adjudication process can be found here.
_
FILM eligibility requirements
In all cases, final decisions about a film’s eligibility rest with BIFA’s Nomination Committee. Under exceptional circumstances, inclusion and consideration of films which do not strictly comply with the below criteria will be subject to the discretion of the Committee. If you have questions about your film’s eligibility, please contact BIFA on entry@bifa.film.
independent
Films will usually qualify as independent where there is no involvement in the production or financing of a film by a major studio.
Any involvement by a major studio will be assessed by BIFA and a budget cap of $25m (gross) applies.
As a guide, a film which has major studio involvement may be eligible for BIFA if:
- The film was acquired by the studio post completion for distribution only
OR - The gross budget did not exceed $25m and the project was not originated or majority co-produced by the major studio
BIFA considers the following companies to be ‘major studios’*:
| Amazon Studios | Apple | Netflix |
| Paramount | Searchlight / Disney | Sony |
| Universal | Warner Bros. |
.
If there is no major studio involvement, no budget cap applies.
.
*studios may be added to the major studios list at any time
UK NATIONALITY – FILMS
BIFA considers a film to be ‘British*’ if the writer(s), director and originating producer(s) are British.
Where this is not the case, films are assessed by BIFA’s Nomination Committee, who take into account the following factors:
- Whether the film was originated by a British production company or individual(s)
- The creative contribution from the UK (i.e. key creative team, lead cast and HoDs)
- UK funding source(s)
- Where each stage of production took place
Films that are not originated by a UK production company or individual(s) and that do not have a lead UK production company are unlikely to be eligible.
This applies to shorts and feature films entering all categories except for Best International Independent Film.
*Throughout the rules, when using the term ‘British’, BIFA is referring to the UK and British Crown dependencies Jersey and Guernsey (The Channel Islands) and the Isle of Man.
UK NATIONALITY – INDIVIDUALS
Where an individual must be British to qualify for an award, such as in the debut categories or for the purposes of identifying the nationality of a film, we will ask entrants if they or others who worked on a film have a British passport or the right to hold one, or if they have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or have achieved ‘settled status’ by living in the UK for more than five years. BIFA’s Nomination Committee may, at its discretion, accept individuals as ‘British’ if they have not lived in the UK for more than five years but have demonstrably been living and working in the UK for a considerable period of time and intend to do so in the future. If you are unsure, please use this test: https://www.gov.uk/check-british-citizen and get in touch with us via entry@bifa.film.
_
BFI DIVERSITY STANDARDS
British features and feature documentaries must meet the BFI Diversity Standards in order to be eligible for BIFA.
In April 2023 the BFI introduced updated Diversity Standards criteria and meeting the Standards now requires passing three of five Standards (A, B, C, D, E). Standards C and E are mandatory for all (some concessions may be made for smaller projects).
Films entered to the BIFA British feature film categories will be assessed against these new criteria and should aim to meet them by filling in the mandatory elements for all Standards as fully as possible. However, as productions continue to transition to the new requirements, allowances will be made for films that were in production or completed before January 2024, and the scale of individual projects will be taken into account.
Films that have already been assessed against the Standards (either pre or post Diversity Standards updates) do not need to be re-assessed.
If your feature film has not already been assessed against the standards, the deadline for completing the form is Wednesday 4 September. We will send this form to you after your entry has been submitted.
Short films entered to the Best British Short Film award must be assessed against the BFI’s Diversity Standards. There is no requirement for short films to meet the Standards, simply to be assessed against them. Please see the Rules and Eligibility criteria for Short films for more information.
Please note, all assessments are made by the BFI and BIFA has no input into this process.
You can find out more about the BFI Diversity Standards here
_
FILM RELEASE REQUIREMENTS
RELEASE REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible, feature films must be intended for theatrical release and must screen, or be scheduled to screen, to a paying public audience either at a qualifying festival or on general release during the eligibility period.
This year, the eligibility period is 1 November 2023 to 30 November 2024.
Where formal distribution is confirmed after a qualifying festival screening, the festival screening remains as the qualifying eligibility criterion for BIFA.
No re-releases may be entered. Once entered, a film can be withdrawn up to a week before the first round of voting opens. Films that are withdrawn at this point (by 9 September 2024) can be entered in subsequent years, if eligible. Otherwise, previously entered films are not eligible.
_
BRITISH FEatures
- Must be intended for UK theatrical release
- Must be over 70 minutes in running time
- Must screen or have been scheduled to screen:
- On general release in the UK during the eligibility period, for a run consisting of at least seven screenings in aggregate
OR
-
- At one of BIFA’s qualifying (see list here) film festivals during the eligibility period. Where there is no British theatrical release on the calendar, proof of intention to release theatrically may be required
Films that are between 40 and 70 minutes in length may be eligible if they have a theatrical release in the UK during the eligibility period.
Where formal distribution is confirmed after a qualifying festival screening, the festival screening remains as the qualifying eligibility criterion for BIFA. Films which have a qualifying festival screening but are scheduled for theatrical release in early 2025 (up to the cut-off date for eligibility for British films for the BAFTA Film Awards) may choose whether to enter in the current year or to wait until next year. Please contact BIFA to discuss this via entry@bifa.film.
_
International features
- Must be intended for theatrical release
- Must be over 70 minutes in running time
- Must have confirmed UK distribution
- Must screen or have been scheduled to screen:
- On general release in the UK during the eligibility period, for a run consisting of at least seven screenings in aggregate
OR
-
- At one of BIFA’s qualifying international film festivals (see list here) during the eligibility period and be intended for theatrical release. Where there is no British theatrical release on the calendar, proof of intention to release theatrically may be required.
International features may also be entered if they have won an award at one of BIFA’s qualifying international film festivals and are available for voters to watch.
_
category rules & requirements
Films may be submitted to as many or as few categories as entrants wish. However, voters or the Nomination Committee may choose to consider a film in additional categories to those submitted.
Credits and eligibility decisions are based on the credits featured on exhibited prints of the film.
Category/ies |
Named nominee(s) |
Additional rules |
Supporting material required |
| Best British Independent Film | Fully credited writers, producers and directors
Other producer credits, such as Associate, Executive, etc. are not eligible for this award. |
||
| Best International Independent Film | Fully credited writers, producers and directors
See Best British Independent Film for our rules on which writing, directing and producing credits are eligible to be listed as nominees |
||
| Best Director | Director(s)
Co-directors are only eligible where there is no lead director credited |
||
| Best Screenplay | Screenwriter(s)
Co-writers are only eligible where there is no lead screenwriter credited. ‘Additional Material by…’, ‘Original Story by…’ and similar credits are not eligible |
Screenplay sample [mandatory] |
|
| Best Lead Performance
Best Supporting Performance |
Lead & Supporting performers | Entrants may select which category a performer should be considered for but BIFA’s Nomination Committee reserves the right to make final decisions about performers’ category placement | |
| Best Joint Lead Performance | Lead Performers | For two (or exceptionally three) performances that are the joint focus of the film, especially where the performances share a large number of scenes and screen time
Entrants may choose to put performers forward for Best Joint Lead as well as Lead Performance. Please note: performers entered into this category must also be entered into the Best Lead Performance category. Performers will be listed for voting in both categories but can only be nominated and win in either the Joint Lead or Lead Performance category Performers put forward for Best Supporting Performance may not enter the Joint Lead category The number of nominations in these categories is variable (up to a maximum of five) and is dependent on the number of eligible entries in any given year |
|
| Best Ensemble Performance | Three or more performers who form a core ensemble | This award is for a group of three or more performers in films without a clear lead performer and where the ensemble drives the story.
Examples might include films like The Death of Stalin or The History Boys, as opposed to films like Billy Elliot. Entrants are responsible for electing which performers to put forward for this category, but the suitability of entries will be subject to the approval of the Performance subgroup, who may decide to limit which performers are included in the ensemble of the film. This award is presented only at the discretion of the Performance subgroup. Ordinarily, the winner in this category will be announced in advance of the ceremony, with no nominations selected. Exceptionally, depending on entry numbers, up to three nominations may be announced, in which case the winner will be decided by the Performance jury and announced at the ceremony |
|
| Breakthrough Performance | Lead & supporting performers
Must hold, or have the right to hold, a British passport |
For British performers taking their first significant role in a theatrical feature film. Eligibility of performers with significant theatre or TV credits will be determined by the Nomination Committee | |
| The Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director) |
Director(s)
Must hold, or have the right to hold, a British passport Co-directors are only eligible where there is no lead director credited |
For a British director for their debut fiction feature film. Previous television or documentary credits do not disqualify an individual from consideration. Documentaries are ineligible in this category
Where a director has previously made a micro-budget feature (under £50k budget), they may still be eligible for this award for a subsequent film, subject to review by BIFA’s Nomination Committee |
|
| Best Debut Director – Feature Documentary | Director(s)
Must hold, or have the right to hold, a British passport Co-directors are only eligible where there is no lead director credited |
For a British director for their debut documentary feature film. Previous television or fiction feature credits do not disqualify an individual from consideration
Filmmakers must be able to show the appropriate release forms if requested. If they are not able to do so, BIFA’s Nomination Committee will determine whether the film is eligible for BIFA |
|
| Best Debut Screenwriter | Screenwriter(s)
Must hold, or have the right to hold, a British passport Co-writers are only eligible where there is no lead screenwriter credited. ‘Additional Material by…’, ‘Original Story by…’ and similar credits are not eligible |
For a British screenwriter for their debut fiction feature film. Previous television or documentary credits do not disqualify an individual from consideration | 10-page screenplay sample [mandatory] |
| Breakthrough Producer | Producer(s)
Must hold, or have the right to hold, a British passport Other producer credits, such as Associate, Executive, etc. are not eligible for this award |
For a British producer for their first or second documentary or fiction feature film
Where a producer wishes to be considered for the award for their second feature film, BIFA’s subgroup and Nomination Committee will assess whether the producer’s first film could be considered their industry breakthrough |
Questionnaire
[mandatory] Additional statements from other members of the production team will be requested at Longlist stage. |
| The Raindance Maverick Award | Fully credited writer(s), producer(s) and director(s)
By default, all above-listed people are listed as nominees in this category. Entrants may, at their discretion, choose instead to limit the number of nominees (e.g. just the director, or just the producers) but must explain this decision in the statement accompanying their entry See Best British Independent Film for our rules on which writing, directing and producing credits are eligible to be listed as nominees |
This award highlights innovation, uniqueness of vision, maverick filmmaking and risk-taking generally in fiction films with a budget under £1m, rewarding bold, creative, ambitious work that belies its limited budget.
Eligible films must not have exceeded a £1m (gross) production budget.
|
Questionnaire [mandatory] |
| Best Feature Documentary | Director(s) & Producer(s)
Co-directors are only eligible where there is no lead director credited |
Films should be non-fiction and photograph an actual occurrence or employ partial re-enactment, stock footage, stills, animation, stop-motion or other techniques, as long as the emphasis is on fact and not on fiction
Filmmakers must be able to show the appropriate release forms, if requested. If they are not able to do so, BIFA’s Nomination Committee will determine whether the film is eligible for BIFA |
|
| Best British Short Film | Fully credited writers, producers and directors
Other producer credits, such as Associate, Executive, etc. are not eligible for this award Co-directors and co-writers are only eligible where there are no lead directors or writers credited |
Films must be under 40 minutes in length
Must be narrative, experimental, documentary or animation. Music videos and fashion films are usually ineligible, but may be included at the discretion of the Nomination Committee and Shorts subgroup where the film has sufficient narrative elements. To request an exception, please contact entry@bifa.film |
|
| Best Casting | Casting Director | Statement [mandatory] | |
| Best Cinematography | Director of Photography | Statement [optional] | |
| Best Costume Design | Costume Designer | Statement [optional] |
|
| Best Editing | Editor
Other editing credits, such as Assistant or Co-Editor, are not eligible |
Statement [optional] |
|
| Best Effects | Special Effects Supervisor and/or Visual Effects Supervisor | Statement & Effects breakdown reel [Mandatory] |
|
| Best Make-Up & Hair Design | Make-Up & Hair Designer | Prosthetics Designers are also eligible in this category | Statement [optional] |
| Best Original Music | Composer/Songwriter
Other credits such as co-composers are only eligible where there is no lead composer |
This award is for the composition of original music for a film where original music makes up at least 40% of the film’s music soundtrack. To be eligible, it must be clear which music in the film is original score (either within the film or via supporting documents). Pre-existing instrumental music should not be considered score unless written specifically for the film
Documentaries about music, where the majority of the music featured is that of the subject of the documentary, are not eligible unless the music has been composed specifically for the film The number of nominations in this category is variable (up to a maximum of five) and is dependent on the number of eligible entries in any given year. This award will only be presented if there are sufficient entries in the category |
Questionnaire [mandatory]
Music Cue Sheet, plus breakdown of percentages of original and source music [mandatory] |
| Best Music Supervision | Music Supervisor | This award is for the supervision of sourced music where sourced music makes up at least 40% of the film’s music soundtrack. To be eligible, it must be clear which music in the film is sourced or licensed music (either within the film or via supporting documents)
Documentaries about music, where the majority of the music featured is that of the subject of the documentary, are not eligible The number of nominations in this category is variable (up to a maximum of five) and is dependent on the number of eligible entries in any given year. This award will only be presented if there are sufficient entries in the category |
Questionnaire [mandatory]
Music Cue Sheet, plus breakdown of percentages of original and source music |
| Best Production Design | Production Designer | Statement [optional] |
|
| Best Sound | The following professionals may be entered, up to a maximum of five people:
Lead or sole Sound Designer / Supervising Sound Editor / HoD Lead or sole Dialogue Supervisor / Editor Lead or sole SFX Supervisor / Editor Lead or sole Re-Recording Mixer Lead or sole Production Sound Mixer / Sound Recordist |
Statement [optional] |
|
| The Special Jury Prize | An individual or organisation within the British independent film industry. | This award is intended to recognise an individual or organisation for their outstanding contribution within the British independent film industry
Entrants are invited to submit a single member of their entered film’s production team whose work deserves recognition but whose role is not currently recognised by one of our competitive awards categories. Eligible roles include Executive Producer, Production Manager, camera operator and not Producer, Director, Production Designer, for example Note; The Special Jury Prize is awarded by our juries. These recommendations will be compiled and submitted to our juries for consideration, though members reserve the right to award the Prize to a recipient not associated with any of the productions in competition |
Statement [mandatory] |
_
Mandatory supporting material
CHECKLIST
Category |
Statement |
Questionnaire |
Other Material |
| Best Screenplay | Mandatory: 10 page screenplay sample | ||
| Debut Screenwriter | Mandatory: 10 page screenplay sample | ||
| Breakthrough Producer | Mandatory | Confirmation of this statement by another producer / a director / writer / HoD also involved in the project is required and they may be contacted by BIFA for additional supporting information | |
| Raindance Maverick Award | Mandatory | ||
| Best Casting | Mandatory | ||
| Best Cinematography | Optional | ||
| Best Costume Design | Optional | ||
| Best Editing | Optional | ||
| Best Effects | Mandatory | Mandatory: Breakdown reel | |
| Best Make-Up & Hair Design | Optional | ||
| Best Music Supervision | Mandatory | Mandatory: Music Cue Sheet + percentages of original and source music | |
| Best Original Music | Mandatory | Mandatory: Music Cue Sheet + percentages of original and source music | |
| Best Production Design | Optional | ||
| Best Sound | Optional | ||
| The Special Jury Prize | Mandatory |
You can download PDFs of the statement formats for the Craft categories (excluding Original Music and Music Supervision) and the Special Jury Prize by clicking the links below:
Craft categories (Casting, Costume Design, Cinematography, Editing, Effects, Make-Up & Hair, Production Design, Sound)
Please be aware: the information provided by entrants in statements and questionnaires and via screenplay samples and music cue sheets is made available to all BIFA voters to view, with the exception of the Special Jury Prize statement, which is made available to the BIFA juries only.
_
important NOTES regarding award presentation
Trophies
One award trophy will be issued where the winner is a film (e.g. Best British Short Film); one award trophy will be issued to each named nominee where the winner is an individual (e.g. Best Director). Additional trophies can be purchased in the event of an award win.
Tickets
BIFA aims to include all nominees at events held to celebrate the nominees and to announce the winners but unfortunately this is not always possible. Confirmation of which nominees will be offered complimentary tickets to BIFA events will be issued in advance of each event.
Entry Thresholds
If we do not receive sufficient entries into an award category, we reserve the right to not present that award. This applies to all categories. Similarly, should we not have sufficient voters in a specialist category, BIFA reserves the right to not present that award.
If BIFA does not receive sufficient entries into the Joint Lead Performance category to ensure a minimum of three nominees, we may choose to present a longer list of nominees and two award winners in the Best Lead category.
Best Ensemble Performance Award is presented only at the discretion of the Performance subgroup. If the Subgroup deems that the award should not be presented in a given year, we may choose to present a longer list of nominees and two award winners in the Best Supporting Performance category.
If you are unsure about category placement for any of your entries, please get in touch with us at entry@bifa.film
_
entry & film access
how to enter
Entries to BIFA can be made by a film’s distributor or another representative, such as the producer, a sales agent or a festivals/awards advisor. If duplicate entries are made, BIFA will contact the entrants to clarify which one to proceed with.
To enter a film to BIFA:
- Create an account (or log in to your existing account) here: https://members.bifa.film/entries
- Complete an entry form for the type of film that you wish to enter
- If an entry fee is applicable, it will need to be paid on submission of the entry to BIFA
Entrants will be invited to check their completed entries before voting opens. It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that all category listings are accurate and complete as no changes can be made once voting is open.
_
access to Entered films
Entrants must provide BIFA voters with online access to their entered films. In-person screenings may be organised at the discretion of the entrant, in addition to online access.
Feature films entered into BIFA can be uploaded to Eventive, a secure and cost-effective screening platform, which our voters have been using for two years with great success. Entrants will be asked to indicate if they wish to use this platform during the entry process. Use of is not compulsory but it is strongly encouraged as this is the preferred platform for voters. Entrants may continue to use their screening platform of choice and handle distribution of screening links directly with voters (subject to signature of a data processing agreement) where applicable. Use of Eventive will incur a charge which the entrant is responsible for covering. You can find out more about Eventive use and fees here.
Eventive is not available for use for short film entries.
Where adequate access to films or mandatory supporting information has not been provided by the deadline of 13 September (or 23 August for Short Films), entry to BIFA will be rescinded and the film will be removed from contention. There will be no refund for any entry fees paid.
_
access requirements
Mandatory:
- Online: all screeners should be provided with closed caption subtitles
- In-person: access information must be provided for all screenings and included in screening invitations
Preferred:
- Online: subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH) and audio description should be included in screeners where possible
- In-person: an option for SDH subtitles at screenings or specific subtitled screenings where several screenings are offered
_
SCREENING AND CAMPAIGNING RULES
BIFA does not allow campaigning of any kind. This applies to both features films and short films. Where entrants would like to invite BIFA voters to in-person screenings of their films, they must be solely for the purposes of giving voters an opportunity to experience their film in cinema.
- Screenings specially for BIFA voters must not include a Q&A or any additional activity such as drinks receptions, gifts, goody bags etc.
- You may invite voters to screenings as part of other events, eg. festivals, premieres, cinema release and press previews which have Q&As and where drinks are offered, but these screenings must not include additional activity or gifts for BIFA voters
- Information regarding all additional film screenings for voters will be combined and sent in a weekly voter mailout and will also be available on the voter Screenings Calendar, accessible by voters and jury only. If you would like to invite voters to screenings of your films, please make sure you advise BIFA at least 5 days in advance so information can be included in the mailout before the screening
- BIFA will not send out individual emails regarding entrant’s film screenings to voters and we will not send individual supplementary emails regarding screenings
- BIFA will not permit entrants to email voters directly – we do not share our voters contact details
If you are thinking of arranging in-person screenings solely for BIFA voters, please consider that a large proportion of our voters live outside London and all voters have access to online screeners of your film, so we cannot guarantee an audience at your screening. We strongly advise that you discuss your potential screening(s) with the awards team before booking your screening.