The BIFA Podcast

James McAvoy is this week’s guest on The BIFA Podcast supported by Kia!

We sat down with the man himself to chat about his directorial debut California Schemin', representing working class stories on screen and what he's learnt from working with some of the best crews and directors in the game.

Also featured: An insane camera trick involving tights on Atonement, the psychology behind his terrifying performance in Split, and asking the very important question: will anyone ever match Mr Tumnus' freak?

Listen to the Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts and watch the filmed version on the BIFA Youtube channel.

FOLLOW BIFA ON SOCIAL

Instagram - @BIFA_film
TikTok - @BIFA_film
X - @BIFA_film

ABOUT THE BIFA PODCAST
Each week hosts Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter chat to a new guest from the world of independent film about their journey into the industry, their most inspiring cinema going experiences, and what makes independent cinema so special.

ABOUT BIFA
The British Independent Film Awards celebrate, promote and support the best of British independent filmmaking. Since 1998, BIFA has discovered and championed bold, original stories and the talent behind them – from Florence Pugh and John Boyega to Steve McQueen and Lynne Ramsay. BIFA’s annual awards spotlight the year’s most outstanding films and filmmakers, and their work year-round connects diverse stories to diverse audiences, with a focus on young film lovers. BIFA is at the heart of the British film industry, and they respond to its changing needs, from EDI training to promoting fair practice, building towards a sustainable, inclusive future for British independent film. Find out more at www.bifa.film

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CREDITS

Hosted by Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter
Produced by the BIFA Team
Audio Engineer: Itzel Gonzalez Estrada
Recorded at Bleat Post Production

Music: “Make It Happen”
Performed by Laura Welsh
Written by Jimmy James and Laura Welsh
Licensed courtesy of Nothing Standard/Screenwrk
Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd

Chapters

00:00 Intro and welcome
01:32 California Schemin'
05:49 Avoiding 'poverty p*rn' on screen
12:33 Scottish accents and industry bias
18:00 The best advice for directors: learning from Joe Wright
25:47 Why the first AD is everything in a crew
33:56 Filth and winning a BIFA
39:12 Kneecap and California Schemin' are not the same!
41:06 How James McAvoy became an actor
43:29 Teaching Andy Serkis how to do a Scottish accent
45:57 Split and the anatomy of being terrifying
53:01 Why Horror is having a moment
54:40 Mr Tumnus & Greta Gerwig's Narnia
56:14 Quickfire

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tahar Rahim is in the house!

We sat down this one-of-a-kind actor to talk sneaking into the cinema without a ticket, his stunning breakout performance in A Prophet, and his love of Ken Loach films.

Tahar is currently starring in Prisoner, now available on Sky

Listen to the Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts and watch the filmed version on the BIFA Youtube channel.

FOLLOW BIFA ON SOCIAL

Instagram - @BIFA_film
TikTok - @BIFA_film
X - @BIFA_film

ABOUT THE BIFA PODCAST
Each week hosts Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter chat to a new guest from the world of independent film about their journey into the industry, their most inspiring cinema going experiences, and what makes independent cinema so special.

ABOUT BIFA
The British Independent Film Awards celebrate, promote and support the best of British independent filmmaking. Since 1998, BIFA has discovered and championed bold, original stories and the talent behind them – from Florence Pugh and John Boyega to Steve McQueen and Lynne Ramsay. BIFA’s annual awards spotlight the year’s most outstanding films and filmmakers, and their work year-round connects diverse stories to diverse audiences, with a focus on young film lovers. BIFA is at the heart of the British film industry, and they respond to its changing needs, from EDI training to promoting fair practice, building towards a sustainable, inclusive future for British independent film. Find out more at www.bifa.film

—
CREDITS

Hosted by Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter
Produced by the BIFA Team
Filmed at Bleat Post Production

Music: “Make It Happen”
Performed by Laura Welsh
Written by Jimmy James and Laura Welsh
Licensed courtesy of Nothing Standard/Screenwrk
Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susan Wokoma is in the house!

Writer, director, comedian, actor, theatre star and taskmaster… Susan Wokoma’s doing the most and we just love to see it.

We sat down with Susan to talk about her journey into film, knowing your worth within an challenging industry, and Susan’s passion for bringing black girlhood onto our screens.

Also discussed: CBBC’s ‘Serious Jungle’, why there’s not been another Chewing Gum, and why Cracker will always be the best TV show in the game.

Listen to the Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts and watch the filmed version on the BIFA Youtube channel.

Catch Susan in Enola Holmes 3, now streaming on Netflix.

FOLLOW BIFA ON SOCIAL

Instagram - @BIFA_film
TikTok - @BIFA_film
X - @BIFA_film

ABOUT THE BIFA PODCAST
Each week hosts Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter chat to a new guest from the world of independent film about their journey into the industry, their most inspiring cinema going experiences, and what makes independent cinema so special.

ABOUT BIFA
The British Independent Film Awards celebrate, promote and support the best of British independent filmmaking. Since 1998, BIFA has discovered and championed bold, original stories and the talent behind them – from Florence Pugh and John Boyega to Steve McQueen and Lynne Ramsay. BIFA’s annual awards spotlight the year’s most outstanding films and filmmakers, and their work year-round connects diverse stories to diverse audiences, with a focus on young film lovers. BIFA is at the heart of the British film industry, and they respond to its changing needs, from EDI training to promoting fair practice, building towards a sustainable, inclusive future for British independent film. Find out more at www.bifa.film

—
CREDITS

Hosted by Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter
Produced by the BIFA Team
Audio Engineer: Itzel Gonzalez Estrada
Recorded at Bleat Post Production

Music: “Make It Happen”
Performed by Laura Welsh
Written by Jimmy James and Laura Welsh
Licensed courtesy of Nothing Standard/Screenwrk
Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Master of Spin, Doctor of Who and winner of an Oscar… the one and only Peter Capaldi is the first guest on the all new season of The BIFA Podcast supported by Kia!

We sat down with Peter to chat through his amazing career, from animating opening titles to directing dog food commercials, his childhood love of Doctor Who, and how a terrible audition helped him land his iconic role in The Thick Of It.

Also featured: Peter’s pitch for Malcolm Tucker’s retirement plan (a Scottish hiking podcast of course)

Catch Peter Capaldi starring in Season 2 of Criminal Record, available now on Apple TV.

Head to the link in our bio to watch the full episode now!
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Listen to the Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts and watch the filmed version on the BIFA Youtube channel.

FOLLOW BIFA ON SOCIAL
Instagram - @BIFA_film TikTok - @BIFA_film X - @BIFA_film

ABOUT THE BIFA PODCAST
Each week hosts Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter chat to a new guest from the world of independent film about their journey into the industry, their most inspiring cinema going experiences, and what makes independent cinema so special.

ABOUT BIFA
The British Independent Film Awards celebrate, promote and support the best of British independent filmmaking. Since 1998, BIFA has discovered and championed bold, original stories and the talent behind them – from Florence Pugh and John Boyega to Steve McQueen and Lynne Ramsay. BIFA’s annual awards spotlight the year’s most outstanding films and filmmakers, and their work year-round connects diverse stories to diverse audiences, with a focus on young film lovers. BIFA is at the heart of the British film industry, and they respond to its changing needs, from EDI training to promoting fair practice, building towards a sustainable, inclusive future for British independent film. Find out more at www.bifa.film

CREDITS
Hosted by Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter
Produced by the BIFA Team
Recorded at Bleat Post Production
Music: “Make It Happen” Performed by Laura Welsh Written by Jimmy James and Laura Welsh Licensed courtesy of Nothing Standard/Screenwrk Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sweary Woman of Whitehall has entered the building...

Joanna Scanlan, BAFTA-winning star of After Love and everyone’s favourite terror of The Thick of It’s corridors, joins the BIFA Podcast to talk about getting into acting at 35, surviving Cambridge and Footlights, and holding on to a proudly “punk” spirit in an industry that often prefers things neat and tidy.

ABOUT THE BIFA PODCAST

Each week hosts Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter chat to a new guest from the world of independent film about their journey into the industry, their most inspiring cinema going experiences, and what makes independent cinema so special.

ABOUT BIFA

The British Independent Film Awards celebrate, promote and support the best of British independent filmmaking. Since 1998, BIFA has discovered and championed bold, original stories and the talent behind them – from Florence Pugh and John Boyega to Steve McQueen and Lynne Ramsay. BIFA’s annual awards spotlight the year’s most outstanding films and filmmakers, and their work year-round connects diverse stories to diverse audiences, with a focus on young film lovers. BIFA is at the heart of the British film industry, and they respond to its changing needs, from EDI training to promoting fair practice, building towards a sustainable, inclusive future for British independent film. Find out more at www.bifa.film
-
CREDITS

Hosted by Karis Aldridge and Joy Hunter
Produced by the BIFA Team
Music: “Make It Happen”
Performed by Laura Welsh
Written by Jimmy James and Laura Welsh
Licensed courtesy of Nothing Standard/Screenwrk
Published by Universal Music Publishing Ltd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.