“It’s Going to Activate Actual Change” — BIFA Winner Posy Sterling on Lollipop | BIFA 2025

On the red carpet at BIFA 2025, Breakthrough nominee Posy Sterling ( Lollipop ) reflects on the long arc from shooting the film three years ago to seeing communities respond — from Crown Court judges to care workers — and why she believes the film will “activate some actual change.” She talks about the magic of Q&As, the responsibility of cinema to spark uncomfortable but necessary conversations, and why she’s excited to keep telling stories that matter.

The British Independent Film Awards 2025 (BIFA) return to The Roundhouse in London, celebrating the most exciting voices and achievements in UK independent filmmaking. With nominations led by My Father’s Shadow (12), Pillion (10), and I Swear (9), this year marks the competitive return of Best Ensemble Performance and showcases a broad mix of debut talent, established auteurs and standout international titles.

Colin Hart and Abigail Shii were on the red carpet.

Key Films & Major Nominees
Best British Independent Film

The Ballad of Wallis Island

I Swear

My Father’s Shadow

Pillion

Urchin

Best Director

Laura Carreira – On Falling

Akinola Davies Jr. – My Father’s Shadow

Kirk Jones – I Swear

Harry Lighton – Pillion

Lynne Ramsay – Die My Love

Best Lead Performance

Robert Aramayo – I Swear

Frank Dillane – Urchin

David Jonsson – Wasteman

Jennifer Lawrence – Die My Love

Harry Melling – Pillion

Cillian Murphy – Steve

Tom Blyth – Wasteman

Best Supporting Performance

Scott Ellis Watson – I Swear

Jay Lycurgo – Steve

Peter Mullan – I Swear

Maxine Peake – I Swear

Alexander Skarsgård – Pillion

Best Joint Lead Performance

Ebada Hassan & Safiyya Ingar – Brides

Tim Key & Tom Basden – The Ballad of Wallis Island

Andrea Riseborough & Brenda Blethyn – Dragonfly

Breakthrough Performance

Scott Ellis Watson – I Swear

Ebada Hassan – Brides

Safiyya Ingar – Brides

Posy Sterling – Lollipop

Connor Tompkins – The Son and the Sea

Best Screenplay

The Ballad of Wallis Island – Tom Basden, Tim Key

On Falling – Laura Carreira

My Father’s Shadow – Wale Davies

I Swear – Kirk Jones

Pillion – Harry Lighton

Best Documentary

Antidote

Mother Vera

Motherboard

The Shepherd and the Bear

A Want in Her

Best International Independent Film

It Was Just an Accident

Sentimental Value

Sirat

Sorry, Baby

Sound of Falling

#PosySterling #LollipopFilm #BIFA2025 #BreakthroughPerformance #FilmForChange #QandA #IndependentFilm #BritishIndependentFilmAwards #HeyUGuys #RedCarpet
---------------------
For syndication or usage opportunities please contact [email protected].
---------------------
More from HeyUGuys:
Website ► http://HeyUGuys.com
Follow us on Twitter ►   / heyuguys  
Subscribe here! ► http://bit.ly/HeyUGuysYTSub
Facebook ►   / heyuguys  
Instagram ►   / heyuguysofficial  
TikTok ►   / heyuguysofficial  
---------------------