Duncan Jones’ Moon was named best British independent film at the 12th British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) in London last night [December 6] in a successful night for Jones, who also took the Douglas Hickox Award for best debut director.
The director was unable to attend the ceremony as he is currently in LA working on his latest project, Source Code, with Jake Gyllenhaal. Moon producer Stuart Fenegan accepted the awards on his behalf.
Andrea Arnold was named best director for Fish Tank while Katie Jarvis was crowned best newcomer. The 18 year old, who was presented with her award by French actress Eva Green and British actor Derek Jacobi, thanked Arnold: “If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t be here today. I’m just having an amazing time.”
Carey Mulligan and Tom Hardy claimed the top acting prizes for An Education and Bronson, respectively. Mulligan described working on An Education as “the best seven weeks of my whole life.”
Daniel Day Lewis was presented with the Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution to British film by Stephen Frears, who gave Lewis his big break in the 1985 film My Beautiful Laundrette.
Tomas Alfredson’s Swedish vampire tale Let The Right One In was named best foreign film.
The awards ceremony was hosted by James Nesbitt at The Brewery in London. Other guests in attendance included British stars Gemma Arterton, Noel Clarke, Jason Isaacs and Jodie Whittaker.
“These awards have underlined both the current strength of British filmmaking talent and the crucial importance of public investment in creative excellence,” said John Woodward, CEO of the UK Film Council, which supported winning films including Fish Tank and In The Loop.
Winners in full:
Best British Independent Film – Moon
Best Director – Andrea Arnold for Fish Tank
The Douglas Hickox Awardfor best debut director – Duncan Jones for Moon
Best Screenplay – Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci and Tony Roche for In The Loop
Best Actress – Carey Mulligan for An Education
Best Actor – Tom Hardy for Bronson
Best Supporting Actress – Anne-Marie Duff for Nowhere Boy
Best Supporting Actor– John Henshaw for Looking For Eric
Most Promising Newcomer– Katie Jarvis for Fish Tank
Best Achievement In Production – Bunny & The Bull
Best Technical Achievement –Bright Star, cinematography by Greig Fraser
Raindance Award – Down Terrace
Best Documentary –Mugabe And The White African
Best British Short – Love You More
Best Foreign Film – Let The Right One In
The Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution to British Film – Daniel Day Lewis
The Variety Award – Michael Caine
The UKFC Special Jury Prize – Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail
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