Kathryn Ferguson’s Nothing Compares wins two BIFAs
Date Posted: December 5, 2022
Last evening in a star-studded ceremony at Old Billingsgate hosted by Ben Bailey Smith, the winners of the 25th British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) were announced. Glory in the documentary awards categories went to Nothing Compares, a reflection on the life of fearless trailblazer Sinead O’Connor, which won both the Best Feature Documentary and Best Debut Director – Feature Documentary for Belfast director Kathryn Ferguson.
Nothing Compares charts Sinéad OʼConnorʼs phenomenal rise to worldwide fame and examines how she used her voice at the height of her stardom, before her iconoclastic personality led to her exile from the pop mainstream.
Focusing on O’Connor’s prophetic words and deeds from 1987 to 1993, the film presents an authoritative, richly cinematic portrait of this fearless artist through a contemporary feminist lens.
The archive-led documentary features era-defining music videos and concert performances alongside previously unseen footage from this period. The film is underpinned by a new interview with Sinéad herself, in which she reflects on events in her own words, and from a present-day perspective. Intimate first-hand contributor interviews add to the tapestry with additional insights from contemporary artists, musicians and social commentators introducing broader themes of Irish history, politics and global activism, all the while reflecting on Sinéad’s artistry, impact and legacy.
The film is produced by Eleanor Emptage and Michael Mallie for Tara Films (UK) and Ard Mhacha Productions (Ireland) and presented by Field of Vision. Executive producers are Charlotte Cook, Lesley McKimm, Lucy Pullin & Lisa Marie Russo. The film was supported by Screen Ireland, the BFI Doc Society Fund, ie:entertainment and Northern Ireland Screen. Additional crew for the documentary include editor Mick Mahon and original music by Irene Buckley, Linda Buckley and John Reynolds.
The full list of BIFA winners can be found here.
