bifa discovery

Source: Ngaruhoe Film / Small Long Productions / Rose 2019

‘Perfect 10’, ‘Real’, ‘Rose: A Love Story’

The British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) has selected 10 titles for its Raindance Discovery Award longlist, including several that received recognition in last week’s lists.

Eva Riley’s sibling drama Perfect 10 is on the list, adding to its selections on four lists last week for debut director, debut screenwriter (both for Riley), breakthrough producer (Jacob Thomas) and twice in most promising newcomer (Frankie Box and Alfie Deegan). 

Also selected on its fifth list is Rene van Pannevis’ crime drama Looted. van Pannevis was longlisted for debut director, and for debut screenwriter alongside Kefi Chadwick; while Jennifer Eriksson and Jessie Mangum were recognised in breakthrough producer, and Charley Palmer Rothwell in most promising newcomer.

Actor-filmmaker Aki Omoshaybi adds to his selections for debut director and screenwriter, and most promising newcomer for Pippa Bennett-Warner, for romantic drama Real; while Jennifer Sheridan’s horror Rose: A Love Story is also chosen, after selections in debut director and debut screenwriter for Matt Stokoe.

Three documentaries are on the Discovery longlist: Vicki Lesley’s The Atom: A Love Affair, Vaughan Pilikian’s Flight, and Yemi Bamiro’s One Man And His Shoes

According to BIFA, the Discovery award “highlights innovation, uniqueness of vision, maverick filmmaking and risk-taking, generally in fiction films with a budget under £500,000 and no, or very limited, theatrical distribution deals in place.”

In response to the Covid-affected distribution landscape, the BIFA nomination committee expanded eligibility to include films that played at fewer than 25 theatrical sites.

Previous recipients of the Discovery award include Ben Wheatley for his debut feature Down Terrace.

In addition to those mentioned above, longlists for international film and documentary were also announced last week.

The final five nominations will be announced in all categories on Wednesday December 9, with the winners to be revealed in February 2021.

BIFA 2020 Discovery award longlist

Body Of Water, dir. Lucy Brydon

Flight, dir. Vaughan Pilikian

Justine, dir. Jamie Patterson

Looted, dir. Rene Van Pannevis

Nuclear, dir. Catherine Linstrum

One Man And His Shoes, dir. Yemi Bamiro

Perfect 10, dir. Eva Riley

Real, dir. Aki Omoshaybi

Rose: A Love Story, dir. Jennifer Sheridan

The Atom: A Love Affair, dir. Vicki Lesley