Aftersun and Blue Jean lead British independent film awards nominations

Sebastian Lelio's drama The Wonder also scores a host of nods, with Paul Mescal and Florence Pugh both up for acting awards

The father-daughter drama Aftersun has emerged as a leading contender at this year's British independent film awards (Bifas). Charlotte Wells's film has been nominated in 16 categories, while the 80s-set homophobia drama Blue Jean and Sebastian Lelio's period tale The Wonder are up for 12 and 13 awards respectively.

Although both are yet to be released in cinemas, Aftersun and Blue Jean (directed by Georgia Oakley) have already made a considerable impression on the festival circuit. Aftersun featured at Cannes, where the Guardian's chief film critic Peter Bradshaw gave it five stars and described it as a rather amazing feature debut". Bradshaw called Blue Jean watchable and engaged with the issues" after its debut at the Venice film festival.