The first round of BIFA craft winners arrived on Tuesday, and Pillion quickly stood out with two awards. The film’s focus on a growing connection between two men comes with careful detail, now recognised through wins for costume design and make up and hair. These early results place the film among the most talked about titles ahead of the main ceremony.

Warfare is the strongest performer so far with three craft wins. Its editing, effects and sound teams were praised for creating a tense and grounded world. Die My Love also begins its awards run with two wins for cinematography and music supervision, confirming strong interest in Lynne Ramsay’s new drama.

Ten craft categories have now been completed. Eight more film awards remain to be announced. BIFA will reveal the rest of the winners at the ceremony on 30 November at the Roundhouse in London. The event gathers filmmakers from across the UK and places a clear spotlight on independent cinema that often shapes the tone of the year ahead.

This week’s list highlights a wide mix of ideas and filmmaking styles. I Swear brings emotional storytelling, Harvest builds a distinct folk setting, and The Ballad of Wallis Island adds a warm musical touch. Each winner shows the range of craft behind independent films and the strength of the teams working on them.

BIFA Craft Winners 2025
• Best Editing, Fin Oates, Warfare
• Best Effects, Simon Stanley Clamp and Ryan Conder, Warfare
• Best Sound, Glenn Freemantle, Mitch Low, Howard Bargroff, Ben Barker and Richard Spooner, Warfare
• Best Cinematography, Seamus McGarvey, Die My Love
• Best Music Supervision, Raife Burchell and Ian Neil, Die My Love
• Best Costume Design, Grace Snell, Pillion
• Best Make Up and Hair Design, Diandra Ferreira, Pillion
• Best Original Music, Tom Basden and Adem Ilhan, The Ballad of Wallis Island
• Best Casting, Lauren Evans, I Swear
• Best Production Design, Nathan Parker, Harvest

Pillion arrives in UK cinemas on 28 November 2025.