Aftersun and Blue Jean lead British independent film awards nominations

The father-daughter drama Aftersun has emerged as a leading contender at this year’s British independent film awards (Bifas). Charlotte Wells’s film has been nominated in 16 categories, while the 80s-set homophobia drama Blue Jean and Sebastián Lelio’s period tale The Wonder are up for 12 and 13 awards respectively.

Although both are yet to be released in cinemas, Aftersun and Blue Jean (directed by Georgia Oakley) have already made a considerable impression on the festival circuit. Aftersun featured at Cannes, where the Guardian’s chief film critic Peter Bradshaw gave it five stars and described it as “a rather amazing feature debut”. Bradshaw called Blue Jean “watchable and engaged with the issues” after its debut at the Venice film festival.

Both films scored Bifa nominations for best British independent film, best director (for Wells and Oakley) and best debut director. Aftersun’s two main actors Frankie Corio and Paul Mescal are nominated for best joint lead performance, while Blue Jean’s Rosy McEwen is nominated for best lead performance. (The Bifas have also decided to do away with separate actor and actress categories)

The winners will be announced on 4 December at a ceremony in London.

Full list of nominations

Best British independent filmAftersunBlue JeanGood Luck to You, Leo GrandeLivingThe Wonder

Best international independent filmAll the Beauty and the BloodshedCloseDecision to LeaveEverything Everywhere All at OnceThe Worst Person in the World

Best directorOliver Hermanus – LivingSophie Hyde – Good Luck to You, Leo GrandeSebastián Lelio – The WonderGeorgia Oakley – Blue JeanCharlotte Wells – Aftersun

Best lead performanceSally Hawkins – The Lost KingCosmo Jarvis – It Is in Us AllEmma Mackey – EmilyRosy McEwen – Blue JeanBill Nighy – LivingFlorence Pugh – The WonderEmily Watson – God’s CreaturesHala Zein – Nezouh

Best screenplayGood Luck to You, Leo GrandeLivingThe WonderBlue JeanAftersun

Best supporting performanceZoey Deutch – The OutfitAisling Franciosi – God’s CreaturesLucy Halliday – Blue JeanKerrie Hayes – Blue JeanZainab Joda – Our River … Our SkyFatma Mohamed – Flux GourmetPaul Mescal – God’s CreaturesFionn Whitehead – EmilyAimee Lou Wood – Living

Best joint lead performanceFrankie Corio, Paul Mescal – Aftersun Daryl McCormack, Emma Thompson – Good Luck to You, Leo GrandeJessie Buckley, Rory Kinnear – MenTamara Lawrance, Letitia Wright – The Silent Twins

Best ensemble performanceBlue JeanEmilyFlux GourmetOur River … Our SkyThe Wonder

Douglas Hickox award for best debut directorAndrew Cumming – The OriginThomas Hardiman – Medusa DeluxeFrances O’Connor – EmilyGeorgia Oakley – Blue JeanCharlotte Wells – Aftersun

Breakthrough performance awardFrankie Corio – AftersunLeo Long – I Used to Be FamousKíla Lord Cassidy – The WonderRosy McEwen – Blue JeanSafia Oakley-Green – The Origin

Best debut director – feature documentaryKathryn Ferguson – Nothing ComparesVictoria Fiore – Nascondino (Hide & Seek)Leah Gordon, Eddie Hutton Mills – KanavalJono McLeod – My Old SchoolBecky Hutner – Fashion Reimagined

Breakthrough producerAleksandra Bilić, Jennifer Corcoran – Nascondino (Hide & Seek)Paul Kennedy – Nightride (also Produced by Jon Silk)Rupert Majendie – Brian and CharlesNadira Murray – Winners (also Produced by Paul Welsh)Hélène Sifre – Blue Jean

Best debut screenwriter Shane Crowley – God’s CreaturesDavid Earl, Chris Hayward – Brian and CharlesRuth Greenberg – The OriginGeorgia Oakley – Blue JeanCharlotte Wells – Aftersun

Raindance Discovery awardElectric MaladyFadia’s TreeOff the RailsRebellionWinners

Best feature documentaryMy Childhood, My Country – 20 Years in AfghanistanMy Old SchoolNascondino (Hide & Seek)Nothing ComparesYoung Plato

Best British short filmA Fox in the NightHonestySandstormScaleToo Rough

Best castingBlue JeanOur River … Our SkyThe Silent TwinsLivingAftersun

Best cinematographyNascondino (Hide & Seek)MenKanavalAftersunThe Wonder

Best costume designMrs Harris Goes to ParisFlux GourmetThe WonderAftersunLiving

Best original musicGod’s CreaturesAftersunThe WonderThe OriginMen

Best effectsThe FeastMenNezouh

Best soundFlux GourmetMenAftersunThe WonderThe Feast

Best editingElizabeth: A Portrait in PartsBlue JeanFlux GourmetNothing ComparesAftersun

Best make-up & hair designAftersunThe WonderFlux GourmetThe OriginMedusa Deluxe

Best music supervisionAftersunThe Phantom of the OpenLiving