The year is coming to an end, meaning it’s time for awards. Today, we’re looking at the winners of the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA). The show, hosted by Hobbit James Nesbitt this year, may not be as glitzy as the Oscars or as prestigious as the Baftas but it certainly recognises some true talent, as evident by this year’s winner.
Lindsay Duncan is best known to Whovians as Adeliade Brooke in Doctor Who special The Waters of Mars. But she’s swapped the red planet for the city of love as she goes to Paris to celebrate her 30th Wedding anniversary in Roger Michell’s Le Week-End, for which she’s taken home Best Actress. Best Supporting Actress went to Imogen Poots for her role in Steve Coogan hit The Look of Love, whilst Place Beyond the Pines star Ben Mendehlson won Best Supporting Actor for Starred Up.
Other winners included Z1 for Best British Short, Chloe Pirrie was named Most Promising Newcomer, Steven Knight took Best Screenplay for The Locke, Captain Phillips director Paul Greengrass went home with The Variety Award, and Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer won Best British Documentary.
The surprise winner of the night, however, was Metro Manila, a British-Filipino crime drama named after the place in The Philippines, directed by Sean Ellis. Ellis took home Best Director, whilst the film also managed to achieve Best Achievement in Production and Best British Independent Film. The award for International Independent Film went to French hit Blue is the Warmest Colour.
Finally, Julie Walters, an amazing actress who has graced the screen several times in films such as Educating Rita, Mamma Mia, and of course, the Harry Potter series, where she plays Ron Weasley’s (quite frankly) awesome Mum, took home the Richard Harris award.
Best International Independent Film – Blue is the Warmest Colour
The Raindance Award – The Machine
Most Promising Newcomer – Chloe Pirrie for The Shell
Best British Short – Z1
Best Supporting Actor – Ben Mendehlson for Starred Up
Special Jury Prize – Sixteen Films and Friends
Best Technical Achievement – Amy Hubbard for casting on The Selfish Giant
Best Supporting Actress – Imogen Poots for The Look of Love
Best Achievement in Production – Metro Manila
Best British Documentary – Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer
The Variety Award – Paul Greengrass
Best Actor – James McAvoy for Filth
Best Screenplay – Steven Knight for Locke
The Douglas Hickox Award – Paul Wright for Those in Peril
Best Actress – Lindsay Duncan for Le Week-End
Best Director – Sean Ellis for Metro Manila
The Richard Harris Award – Julie Walters
Best British Independent Film – Metro Manila