Italian
Celebrating emerging talent: BFI & Chanel Filmmaker Awards
Honoring the next generation of UK directors
The British Film Institute (BFI) and Chanel have once again joined forces to recognize and celebrate the rising stars of the UK film industry. The third annual BFI & Chanel Filmmaker Awards have been announced, spotlighting three exceptional directors who have demonstrated remarkable talent and vision in their work. Each winner receives a prize of £20,000 ($26,000) to support their future projects.
Meet the winners
This year’s awards were presented to:
- Luna Carmoon, writer and director of Hoard, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival last year.
- Pinny Grylls, co-writer and co-director of Grand Theft Hamlet.
- Naqqash Khalid, writer and director of In Camera.
These talented filmmakers were selected by a distinguished jury that included actress Tilda Swinton, British Vogue editorial advisor Edward Enninful, Le Cinema Club founder Marie-Louise Khondji, and BFI chief executive Ben Roberts.
A celebration of core values
Tilda Swinton expressed her admiration for the winners, stating, “The three films we have had the honor to spotlight this year represent — with urgency and accuracy — some of the core values the BFI & Chanel Filmmaker Awards were set up to encourage: self-determination, a reflection on untold life experience, and a boundaryless curiosity about the capacities of filmmaking itself, regardless of any limitation.”
Swinton emphasized the importance of the practical and inspirational attitudes that these filmmakers brought to their projects, which made groundbreaking work possible. She added, “We honor these individuals tonight and look forward with real eagerness to their road ahead.”
A night to remember
The awards were announced at a glamorous event held at London’s Roundhouse, attended by some of the biggest names in the industry. The evening also featured an auction to raise funds for the BFI National Archive. Notable guests included Hugh Grant, Steve McQueen, Alfonso Cuarón, Lashana Lynch, Naomi Ackie, Josh O’Connor, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Daisy Edgar-Jones, and Felicity Jones.
Previous winners and their impact
The BFI & Chanel Filmmaker Awards have a history of recognizing and supporting filmmakers who go on to achieve significant success. Previous winners include:
- Kathryn Ferguson, who won in 2022 with her debut award-winning documentary Nothing Compares about Sinead O’Connor. Ferguson is also the director of the upcoming documentary Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes about Hollywood icon Humphrey Bogart.
- Savannah Leaf, who won in 2023 with Earth Mama and went on to win the 2024 BAFTA for best debut British writer, director, or producer.
The importance of support
BFI chief executive Ben Roberts highlighted the significance of the awards, saying, “It is such a privilege to be part of this prestigious jury for a third year, and to immerse ourselves in the work of shortlisted filmmakers, a truly vibrant and exciting group of up-and-coming talent.”
Roberts acknowledged the challenges faced by UK independent filmmakers and emphasized the importance of the partnership with Chanel. “Making films for a living is a tough business for UK independent filmmakers, so our partnership with Chanel is so important, as this unique prize can have such an incredible impact on the careers of the winning filmmakers.”
Looking ahead
The BFI & Chanel Filmmaker Awards continue to play a crucial role in nurturing and supporting the next generation of filmmakers. By providing financial support and recognition, these awards help talented directors bring their unique visions to life and contribute to the rich tapestry of the UK film industry.
Did you enjoy this article? Share it on your social channels and let us know your thoughts! Don’t miss out on the latest updates! Follow us on social media to stay informed about the newest releases.
