BIFAs introduce new categories

The British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) is to add two categories and has introduced changes to the voting process ahead of this year’s ceremony, due to be held Dec 4 in London.

The new categories include best debut screenwriter and breakthrough producer, for first or second time producers, which replaces previous category producer of the year.

The changes to the voting process will expand the pool of BIFA voters, who decide the longlist and subsequent nominations. Applicants were accepted earlier this year via an open call.

While voters have already been selected for this year’s nomination process, registration remains open for eligible voters who would like to be part of the winners’ vote via www.bifa.film

Categories to be decided by individual juries include the four newcomer categories debut director, debut screenwriter, breakthrough producer and most promising newcomer. The remaining categories will be decided by one main jury as in previous years

Deena Wallace and Amy Gustin, co-directors, BIFA said: “BIFA has always been about showcasing new talent and these new categories allow us to shine a light on even more of the most exciting future prospects in British film.

“We’re delighted to see so many people across the industry take up the opportunity to be part of the nominations process and we hope that placing the winner of best British independent film into our voters’ hands will encourage even more people to sign up.”

Longlists will be announced for the four newcomer categories in the week of Oct 10. The full list of nominations will follow in early November.

BIFA voting amends:

• The pool of BIFA voters, who decide the longlist and subsequent nominations, has been expanded. Applicants were accepted earlier this year via an open call;
  
  
• The process to decide nominations remains the same, and will use c. 140 of these voters each year. Around two thirds of the currently registered voters will participate this year;
  
  
• To allow more registered voters to be part of BIFA, all registered voters will be able to vote for the winner of best British independent film;
  
  
• The voting system will take into account which of the films each voter has seen and where they have a conflict of interest;
  
  
• The following categories will be decided by individual juries made up of relevant established practitioners: debut director, debut screenwriter, breakthrough producer and most promising newcomer;
  
  
• The remaining categories will be decided by one main jury as per previous year;
  
  
• While voters have already been selected for this year’s nomination process, registration remains open for eligible voters who would like to be part of the winners’ vote via www.bifa.film.