08 December 2014
Newsdesk
A glittering array of talent turned out this evening for the 17th Moët British Independent Film Awards. The winners were announced at the star-studded ceremony, held at Old Billingsgate, which was hosted by THE INBETWEENERS star, Simon Bird.
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.
Best British Independent Film was won by PRIDE. Yann Demange won Best Director for ’71, Gugu Mbatha-Raw won Best Actress for BELLE and Brendan Gleeson won Best Actor for CALVARY. Andrew Scott collected his award for Best Supporting Actor for PRIDE and Imelda Staunton took home her award for Best Supporting Actress also for her role in PRIDE.
PRIDE won the most awards on the night, picking up Best British Independent Film, Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor.
Joint Directors; The Moët British Independent Film Awards Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said: “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. 2014 also sees us celebrate five years of a fabulous partnership with title sponsor Moët & Chandon, who add that extra sparkle each year for which we are incredibly grateful.”
As previously announced, Emma Thompson was awarded the coveted Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film, and Benedict Cumberbatch the Variety Award, which recognises an actor, director, writer or producer who has helped to shine the international spotlight on the UK. The Special Jury Prize went to John Boorman.
Elsa Corbineau, Marketing Director Moët & Chandon commented; “Marking our
5th Anniversary as title sponsors of the Moët British Independent Film Awards and long-time supporters of British film, Moët & Chandon is delighted to share in the celebrations of tonight’s very well deserved winners. To toast the successes of 2014, guests joined us in creating a seven-foot champagne fountain to salute a year of amazing achievements.”
The Raindance Award was won by LUNA. 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 Moët British Independent Film Awards are proud to announce the following winners for 2014 (highlighted below in red):
BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM
Sponsored by Moët & Chandon
'71
BEST DIRECTOR
Sponsored by AllCity & Intermission John Michael McDonagh – Calvary Lenny Abrahamson – Frank Matthew Warchus –
Yann Demange – '71
THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR]
Sponsored by 3 Mills Studios
Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard – 20,000 Days on Earth
BEST SCREENPLAY
Sponsored by BBC Films
Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan – Frank
BEST ACTRESS Sponsored by M.A.C Cosmetics
Gugu Mbatha-Raw – Belle
BEST ACTOR Sponsored by Movado
Brendan Gleeson – Calvary
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Imelda Staunton – Pride
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Sponsored by St Martins Lane
Andrew Scott – Pride
MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Sameena Jabeen Ahmed – Catch Me Daddy
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
The Goob
BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Stephen Rennicks - Music – Frank
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Next Goal Wins
BEST BRITISH SHORT
The Kármán Line
BEST INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM
Boyhood
THE RAINDANCE AWARD
Luna
THE RICHARD HARRIS AWARD (for outstanding contribution by an actor to British
Film)
Emma Thompson
