The titular character of “Saint Maud” can rest assured: there is some good in the world! Rose Glass’ psychological horror drama received 17 British Independent Film Awards nods this year, the most nominations ever snagged by a single title.
“Saint Maud” is up for Best British Independent Film and Glass is being recognized in the Best Director, Best Screenplay, Debut Screenwriter, and Douglas Hickox Award (Debut Director) categories. Stars Morfydd Clark and Jennifer Ehle are competing in the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress races, respectively.
Sarah Gavron’s ode to female friendship, “Rocks,” scored 15 nominations, including Best British Independent Film and Best Director (Gavron). Screenwriters Theresa Ikoko and Claire Wilson are nominated for Best Screenplay and Debut Screenwriter, and lead performer Bukky Bakray is up for Best Actress and Most Promising Newcomer. Her co-star Kosar Ali received nods for the latter category as well as Best Supporting Actress.
Clare Dunne (“Herself”), Wunmi Mosaku (“His House”), and Andrea Riseborough (“Luxor”) round out the Best Actress nominees. The Best Supporting Actress contenders include Niamh Algar (“Calm With Horses”), Ashley Madekwe (“County Lines”), and Fiona Shaw (“Kindred”).
Joining Glass in the Douglas Hickox Award race is Eva Riley, who is being recognized for “Perfect 10,” which sees a teen gymnast meeting her half-brother for the first time. The drama is also nominated for the Discovery Award, as is Jennifer Sheridan’s horror pic “Rose: A Love Story.”
Irune Gurtubai (“Limbo”) is the sole woman nominated for Breakthrough Producer and Rubika Shah’s Rock Against Racism portrait “White Riot” is the only woman-directed title to receive a Best Documentary nod. Overall, women make up 28 of the crafts categories’ 58 nominees, or 48 percent.
Three of the five Best International Independent Film nominees are from women directors: Shannon Murphy’s “Babyteeth,” Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” and Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland.” “Babyteeth,” which recently swept the Australian Academy Awards, is about a young cancer patient who falls in love with an older drug dealer. Berlinale Silver Bear winner “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” follows a teen girl’s interstate journey to procure a legal abortion. “Nomadland,” which took home Venice’s top prize, stars Frances McDormand as a woman who loses her livelihood during the Great Recession and decides to live as a modern-day nomad.
Head over to Screen Daily to check out all the BIFA nominees.
