13th annual Moet British Independent Film Awards - winners

The 13th annual Moet British Independent Film Awards were handed out tonight at Old Billingsgate in London. The King’s Speech had led with eight nominations and as expected dominated the evening with five awards, for Best Film, Best Screenplay, and acting prizes for Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush (who beat co-star Guy Pearce in the Supporting Actor category).

Helena Bonham Carter also picked up the honourary Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British Film. Director Tom Hooper, however, was beaten by Monsters director Gareth Edwards. Monsters also picked up awards for Best Achievement in Production and Best Technical Achievement.

The other acting award went to Carey Mulligan for her work in Never Let Me Go. It was her second BIFA acting award in a row, having won last year for An Education.  Enemies of the People was named Best Documentary, while Best Foreign Film was Un Prophète (A Prophet). Prominent British films Four Lions, Kick-Ass, Another Year and Made In Dagenham were shut out of the awards altogether.

Created in 1998, The British Independent Film Awards were created to "celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, to honour new talent, and to promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public." The ceremony was hosted by actor James Nesbitt.

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complete list of winners for the 13th Moët British Independent Film Awards

BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM
The King’s Speech

BEST DIRECTOR
Gareth Edwards – Monsters

THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR]
Clio Barnard – The Arbor

BEST SCREENPLAY
David Seidler – The King’s Speech

BEST ACTRESS
Carey Mulligan – Never Let Me Go

BEST ACTOR
Colin Firth – The King’s Speech

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Helena Bonham Carter – The King’s Speech

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Geoffrey Rush – The King’s Speech

MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Joanne Froggatt – In Our Name

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
Monsters

RAINDANCE AWARD
Son Of Babylon

BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Monsters – Visual Effects – Gareth Edwards

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Enemies of the People
 
BEST BRITISH SHORT
Baby

BEST FOREIGN FILM
A Prophet

THE RICHARD HARRIS AWARD (for outstanding contribution by an actor to British Film)
Helena Bonham Carter

THE VARIETY AWARD
Liam Neeson

THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
Jenne Casarotto (Casarotto, Ramsay & Assoc.)