09/12/2013 - Blue Is The Warmest Colour wins Best International Independent Film

Metro Manila [+see also:
trailer
film profile] was the clear winner at the 16th British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs), picking up awards for Best Independent British Film, Best Director for Sean Ellis and Best Achievement in Production. James McAvoy won Best Actor for Filth [+see also:
trailer
making of
film profile] and Lindsay Duncan Best Actress for Le-Weekend [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]. Imogen Poots collected her BIFA for Best Supporting Actress for The Look Of Love [+see also:
trailer
film profile] and Ben Mendelsohn took home Best Supporting Actor for Starred Up [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: David Mackenzie
film profile].

After being shut out at the EFAs, Blue Is the Warmest Colour [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Abdellatif Kechiche
film profile] won Best International Independent Film, beating The Great Beauty [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Paolo Sorrentino
film profile] in the process. Julie Walters was awarded the coveted Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film.

BIFA Joint Directors Johanna von Fischer and Tessa Collinson said, “Thanks to an independent film industry which encompasses so many different cultures, personalities, visions and voices, Britain is producing a new generation of fearless artists both behind and in front of the camera who represent that richness of our diverse British society. With so many of the films exploring themes about being less judgmental and more forgiving, this perhaps reflects a movement within British independent filmmaking that brings much hope for the future.”

Winners

BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM 
Metro Manila

BEST DIRECTOR 
Sean Ellis – Metro Manila

THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR]
Paul Wright – For Those in Peril

BEST SCREENPLAY 
Steven Knight – Locke [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]

BEST ACTRESS
Lindsay Duncan – Le Week-end

BEST ACTOR
James McAvoy – Filth

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Imogen Poots – The Look Of Love

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ben Mendelsohn – Starred Up

MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Chloe Pirrie – Shell [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
Metro Manila

BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Amy Hubbard – Casting – The Selfish Giant

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Pussy Riot - A Punk Prayer [+see also:
trailer
film profile]

BEST BRITISH SHORT
Z1

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM
Blue is the Warmest Colour

THE RAINDANCE AWARD
The Machine

THE RICHARD HARRIS AWARD (for outstanding contribution by an actor to British Film)
Julie Walters

THE VARIETY AWARD
Paul Greengrass 

THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
Sixteen Films & Friends (AKA Team Loach)