RESEARCH: (BIFA) BRITISH INDEPENDANT FILM AWARDS

This week, I researched the BIFA (British Independent Film Awards), which I was first made aware of when I visited the BFI in London. As in the title, these awards celebrate the very best of British Independent Cinema, with a notable example of a nominated film that we studied at the BFI Study day being American Honey. We also researched Ken Loach, who directed the nominated film I, Daniel Blake. He is renowned in the film industry for his often critical approach to mainstream and independent films that shy away from common issues

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At the Study Day, we watched the trailer for American Honey and at 2.7 million budget, we discovered that it was relatively inexpensive to make; it featured almost exclusively unknowns with the exception of Shia LaBouef. The film has been promoted as 'defining our generation', as according to the film's official website. It was British Directed along with key organisations involved. The film is an example of the BFI/Film4 funding model.


American Honey's key themes involve adolescents and their lifestyle of hedonism, (living for the moment in a carefree way) love and betrayal, of which mainstream films do not usually feature or touch upon. In addition to this, it was all shot on location without many expensive set pieces, which is the same as out film opening, which will only be shot on locations in local areas. Part of the way in which American Honey portrayed its social realism was through its use of handheld cinema technique in order to depict urban youth rather than clear, refined camera angles.