Supported by the UK Film Council
FOR THE 12TH BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS
SUNDAY 6 DECEMBER AT THE BREWERY, CHISWELL STREET
The winners of the twelfth annual British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) are announced today, Sunday 6 December at The Brewery, Chiswell Street in London.
Johanna von Fischer and Tessa Collinson, BIFA co-directors say: “No single film dominates the Awards this year, reminding us of the high quality and variety of talent on offer in the UK. And if we can be celebrating so much good work in a year that is said to be difficult, there is a lot to shout about.”
Elliot Grove, founder of Raindance and the British Independent Film Awards says: “The nominees and winners this year prove again the wealth of fresh and diverse filmmaking talent that distinguishes British independent filmmaking.”
John Woodward, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Film Council says: “These awards have underlined both the current strength of British filmmaking talent and the crucial importance of public investment in creative excellence.
“Great British success stories such as Fish Tank, Moon, In the Loop and Nowhere Boy have been entertaining critics and audiences throughout 2009 – and for films produced and developed by the UK Film Council to have scooped six top awards, in addition to the three awards for films we supported in distribution, is not only really well deserved but also a good sign for further recognition of British filmmaking as we enter the awards season in 2010.”
“Over their 12 years, the BIFAs have championed British independent film excellence and originality, and the UK Film Council remains a proud partner.”
BIFA are proud to announce the following winners for this year’s Awards:
BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM
Moon
BEST DIRECTOR
Sponsored by The Creative Partnership
Andrea Arnold – Fish Tank
THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR]
Duncan Jones – Moon
BEST SCREENPLAY
Sponsored by BBC Films
In the Loop – Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
BEST ACTRESS
Sponsored by M.A.C
Carey Mulligan – An Education
BEST ACTOR
Sponsored by Elit by Stolichnaya
Tom Hardy – Bronson
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Anne-Marie Duff – Nowhere Boy
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Sponsored by Stolichnaya
John Henshaw – Looking for Eric
MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER
Sponsored by Optimum Releasing
Katie Jarvis – Fish Tank
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION
Bunny and the Bull
RAINDANCE AWARD
Sponsored by Raindance
Down Terrace
BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
Sponsored by 3 Mills Studios
Bright Star – Cinematography – Greig Fraser
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Sponsored by Chapter Media
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
Sir Michael Caine
THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
Sponsored by UK Film Council
Baz Bamigboye
Proud supporters and patrons of BIFA include Mike Figgis, Tom Hollander, Adrian Lester, Ken Loach, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Samantha Morton, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen, Trudie Styler, Tilda Swinton, Meera Syal, David Thewlis, Ray Winstone and Michael Winterbottom.
BIFA would like to thank its Sponsors: The UK Film Council, 3 Mills Studios, BBC Films, Chapter Media, The Creative Partnership, M.A.C, Optimum Releasing, Raindance, Soho House, Stolichnaya, Variety.
Created by Raindance
For further press information or for press accreditation please contact Elizabeth Benjamin or Zoe Flower at Emfoundation: elizabeth@emfoundation.com / zoe@emfoundation.com / 020 7247 4171
For further information on BIFA, visit www.bifa.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
BIFA was created by Raindance in 1998.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 2009
A film will be eligible for an Award if:
• It is intended for theatrical release, AND has had a public screening to a paying audience either on general release in the UK OR has screened at a British-based film festival between 1 December 2008 and 30 November 2009.
• Where there is any major studio substantially funding a film, the total budget must not exceed £10M.
• It has been produced or majority co-produced by a British company OR is in receipt of at least 51% of its budget from a British source or sources OR it qualifies as a British film under the DCMS guidelines AND includes sufficient creative elements from the UK.
• BIFA also consider foreign independent films for the Best Foreign Independent Film category. Foreign films must have a British theatrical release during the eligibility period stated above.
• Best British Short Film Award submissions: Any British short films that have won an award between 16 October 2008 and 15 October 2009 are eligible for consideration. A short film must be no longer than 40 minutes (including credits).
• Films that have been entered previously are not eligible. Re-issues of previously released films are not eligible.
• All films submitted for consideration are viewed by the Advisory Committee with the help of a nominated screening panel, who then decide the nominations by ballot.
• All nominated films will be viewed by the Jury. The winners will be decided by a secret ballot.
Full Eligibility Criteria may be viewed at: http://www.bifa.org.uk/rules
