London Evening Standard British Film Awards 2011 - winners

Tonight, the 38th London Evening Standard British Film Awards took place in the London Film Museum in County Hall on the River Thames. Best Film was claimed by Peter Mullan's coming-of-age teen gang drama Neds. It beat out The King's Speech, as well the other nominees for Best Film Another Year, The Arbor, The Illusionist, Kick-Ass, and Never Let Me Go.

The Evening Standard's critic Derek Malcolm said, "Despite our admiration for The King's Speech... the jury felt that Peter Mullan's Neds deserved our prize this year. An original drama of great skill, power and human sympathy, the film reflects directly on the present as well as the past in which it is set."

The King's Speech went away empty-handed as Andrew Garfield was a surprise winner for Best Actor, defeating favourite Colin Firth on the strength of his two roles in The Social Network and Never Let Me Go. This continues the trend where critics awards favouring The Social Network while industry awards favour The King's Speech.

Kristin Scott Thomas won the Best Actress Award for her performance as a housewife having an affair in the French film Partir (Leaving). Unfortunately, neither Garfield nor Scott were able to attend the ceremony.

The Best Screenplay Award went to Clio Barnard for The Arbor. The Documentary prize was given to John Krish for A Day In The Life.

Writer/director Christopher Nolan received the Alexander Walker Special Award for his contribution to film.

The Standard awards consider British films released between last February and the start of February this year, or performances or works by British actors or film-makers in any films released during the same period. They were chosen by six film critics: Derek Malcolm, Charlotte O'Sullivan and David Sexton (Evening Standard); Kate Muir (The Times); Anthony Quinn (Independent); Tim Robey (Daily Telegraph). The panel was chaired by Evening Standard Deputy Editor Sarah Sands.

The ceremony was hosted by "Green Wing" star Stephen Mangan.
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Complete list of winners for the 38th London Evening Standard British Film Awards

BEST FILM
Neds, Peter Mullan

BEST ACTOR
Andrew Garfield, The Social Network, Never Let Me Go

BEST ACTRESS
Kristin Scott Thomas, Partir (Leaving)

BEST SCREENPLAY
Clio Barnard, The Arbor

LONDON FILM MUSEUM TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Gareth Edwards for his cinematography, production design and visual effects on Monsters

PETER SELLERS AWARD FOR COMEDY
Roger Allam for his performance in Tamara Drewe

MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Ben Wheatley, co-writer and director of Down Terrace

BEST DOCUMENTARY
A Day In The Life, John Krish

ALEXANDER WALKER SPECIAL AWARD
Christopher Nolan