Uniting Rap and Comedy in the World of British Film

Emergence of "Kneecap" as a Big Winner

"Kneecap" starred rappers Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, known by their stage names Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí. Set in Belfast, the film was directed by Rich Peppiatt and even featured a cameo from Michael Fassbender as a former republican paramilitary. The three leads were honored with the best joint lead performance award, while Peppiatt also won the best debut screenwriter award. This film had already won four craft awards in November, setting the stage for its remarkable success at the Bifas.

In his acceptance speech, Peppiatt couldn't help but mention the irony of the best British film being Irish. The film was jointly funded by various entities such as the BFI, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, and Northern Ireland Screen, and it became Ireland's entry for the best international feature film Oscar. This intersection of Irish culture and British film-making was a unique aspect that added to the film's allure.

Rungano Nyoni's Success and Other Double Winners

Rungano Nyoni took the best director award for "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl". She had previously won the best debut director Bifa in 2017 for her film "I Am Not a Witch". Alongside her, actor Susan Chardy picked up the breakthrough performance award. Other double winners on the night included the in-game Shakespeare documentary "Grand Theft Hamlet", which won both the best debut director - feature documentary award and the Raindance Maverick award. Lucknow-set crime drama "Santosh" also achieved double success with the best screenplay and breakthrough producer awards.

Despite being excluded from the writing and directing categories, Mike Leigh's new film "Hard Truths" still managed to pick up a major award with best lead performance for Marianne Jean-Baptiste. This further showcased the diversity and talent within the British independent film scene.

Full List of Winners

The full list of winners at the Bifas was a testament to the excellence and variety of British independent films. "Best British independent film" went to "Kneecap", while "Best international independent film" was awarded to "Anora". "Best feature documentary" was won by "Witches". Rungano Nyoni took the best director award for "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl", and "Best screenplay" was awarded to Sandhya Suri for "Santosh". Marianne Jean-Baptiste won the best lead performance award for "Hard Truths", and Franz Rogowski took the best supporting performance award for "Bird". The best joint lead performance was shared by Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh for "Kneecap". "Best ensemble performance" went to "Wicked Little Letters". Christopher Andrews won the best debut director award for "Bring Them Down", and Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane won the best debut director - feature documentary award for "Grand Theft Hamlet". Balthazar De Ganay, James Bowsher won the breakthrough producer award for "Santosh", and Susan Chardy won the breakthrough performance award for "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl". Rich Peppiatt won the best debut screenwriter award for "Kneecap", and "Grand Theft Hamlet" won the Raindance Maverick award. "Best British short film" was "Wander to Wonder", and Sophie Okonedo received the outstanding contribution by an actor to British film award.