It’s just come to its conclusion tonight at Old Billingsgate, hosted by Simon Bird, and there was an impressive array of talent on show for the 17th Moët British Independent Film Awards.
The big award, the Best British Independent Film was won by the magnificent PRIDE, who also took home the most awards, as Imelda Staunton picked up Best Supporting Actress and Andrew Scott took Best Supporting Actor.
Yann Demange won Best Director for the intense ’71, Gugu Mbatha-Raw won Best Actress for the underrated BELLE and that legend that is Brendan Gleeson won Best Actor for CALVARY.
As we’d previously reported, Emma Thompson was deservedly awarded the Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film, and man-of-the-moment Benedict Cumberbatch the Variety Award, which recognises an actor, director, writer or producer who has helped to shine the international spotlight on the UK and boy, hasn’t he shone in recent years.
In other awards, Best Debut Director(s) was awarded to 20,000 DAYS ON EARTH’s Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, Best Screenplay went to Jon Ronson and Peter Straughan for the great FRANK, Most Promising Youngster was picked up by CATCH ME DADDY’s Sameena Jabeen Ahmed and Best International Independent Film was taken by Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD. The Special Jury Prize went to John Boorman.
Joint Directors of The Moët British Independent Film Awards, Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson, had this to say:
“In our final year as Directors it is terrific to see such an amazing mix of the established and new being represented in our honourees tonight. The range of diverse and unique talent in this country is awe inspiring. Our jury has had some truly tough decisions to make. We hope these results will excite audiences and encourage more people to search out these films creating a greater demand for British Independent cinema.”
Elliot Grove, Founder of BIFA and the Raindance Film Festival added:
“British filmmakers are at the top of their game and amongst the most creative in the world, covering a diverse range of stories, passionately told and featuring outstanding acting talent. BIFA is proud to lead the celebrations at the start of the Award season.”
The lucky winners took home the iconic award designed by Fredrikson Stallard and created by Swarovski as well as a personalised, Swarovski crystal encrusted magnum of Moët & Chandon and, you know, if there’s any spare then feel free to give me a shout…
For a full list winners, check out the official MBIFA site.
Photography by David M. Benett, Dave J Hogan, Tristan Fewings and Getty
