‘THE INBETWEENERS’ STAR SIMON BIRD TO HOST THE 17TH ANNUAL MOËT BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS
Moët celebrates a sparkling five year anniversary as title sponsor of BIFAs.
Thursday 6th November: Johanna von Fischer and Tessa Collinson, Directors of the British Independent Film Awards announced today that the actor, writer and comedian Simon Bird, who starred in the hugely successful ‘The Inbetweeners’ films and television series, will host the 17th Annual Awards Ceremony to be held on 7th December 2014.
“I am delighted to be hosting this year’s Moët British Independent Film Awards. As star of experimental, art-house piece The Inbetweeners 2, I was the obvious choice to emcee this event celebrating cutting-edge independent cinema. It’s been an outstanding year for British film, and I look forward to drinking champagne with the winners while half-heartedly consoling the other nominees.”
Von Fischer and Collinson commented: “We are so thrilled that Simon will be our host this year. A star of British comedy at its best, and two of the most commercially successful British Independent films of recent years, Simon perfectly represents all the wit and fun that the Moët BIFAs have become known and loved for. As our last ever Awards, we are looking forward to what promises to be a really great night!”
This year’s Awards also mark the anniversary of an extremely successful partnership with Moët, who will be title sponsor for its fifth year running.
Elsa Corbineau, Moët & Chandon Marketing Director, commented: “In 2014, we are delighted to celebrate the 5th anniversary of our title sponsorship at the Moët British Independent Film Awards. Since the beginning of our partnership, the calibre of films has continued to inspire us with the richness they represent. We look forward to a glamourous and sparkling night hosted by Simon Bird as well as to toasting to the success of all of the nominees with a flute of Moët & Chandon.”
This year’s nominations were announced on 3rd November at St Martins Lane, London. The nominees for Best British Independent Film were ’71; CALVARY; MR TURNER; PRIDE and THE IMITATION GAME. Leading the charge this year is ’71 with nine nominations; PRIDE with seven nominations and CATCH ME DADDY; FRANK and MR TURNER with five nominations each.
The nominees for acting performances include Keira Knightley (THE IMITATION GAME) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (BELLE) for Best Actress; Maggie Gyllenhaal (FRANK) and Imelda Staunton (PRIDE) for Best Supporting Actress; Jack O’Connell (’71) and Timothy Spall (MR TURNER) for Best Actor; Rafe Spall (X+Y) and Michael Fassbender (FRANK) for Best Supporting Actor. Cara Delevingne (THE FACE OF AN ANGEL) and Sameena Jabeen Ahmed (CATCH ME DADDY) are among the hopefuls for Most Promising Newcomer.
For the full list of nominations visit http://www.bifa.org.uk/nominations/2014
This year’s Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday 7th December at Old Billingsgate
Previous winners of the prestigious Best British Independent Film Award include METRO MANILA, TYRANNOSAUR, THE KING’S SPEECH, MOON, CONTROL, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, THE CONSTANT GARDENER and THIS IS ENGLAND.
Proud supporters and patrons of The Moët British Independent Film Awards include Mike Figgis, Tom Hollander, Adrian Lester, Ken Loach, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Samantha Morton, James Nesbitt, Michael Sheen, Trudie Styler, Tilda Swinton, Meera Syal, David Thewlis, Ray Winstone and Michael Winterbottom.
The Moët British Independent Film Awards would like to thank all its supporters, especially: Moët & Chandon, 3 Mills Studios, BBC Films, M.A.C Cosmetics, Movado, Raindance, St Martins Lane, Soho House, Swarovski, Variety, AllCity, Intermission.
Created by Raindance
Notes to the editor:
Moët & Chandon is the champagne of success and glamour since 1743. Renowned for its achievements, firsts and legendary pioneering spirit, Moët & Chandon is the Maison that introduced champagne to the world. Synonymous with the most venerable of traditions and the most modern of pleasures, Moët & Chandon has celebrated life’s most triumphant moments with grandeur and generosity for more than 270 years.
The Champagne of Cinema
For nearly a century, Moët & Chandon has celebrated the glamour and the red carpet magic of international cinema. The Maison is a strong and long-time supporter of film awards and ceremonies, such as the Golden Globes, and the International Film Festivals in Venice and San Sebastian to name a few.
For press information regarding The Moët British Independent Film Awards contact Emma McCorkell or Caragh Cook at Organic:
emma.mccorkell@organic-publicity.co.uk
caragh.cook@organic-publicity.co.uk
+44 (0) 203 372 0976 / +44 (0) 203 372 0986
Images from the 2013 Awards ceremony are available to download from
http://www.organic-marketing.co.uk/press-centre
For press information regarding Moët & Chandon contact Anna Budel:
+44 (0)20 7808 4458
For further information on MBIFA, visit www.bifa.org.uk
For further information on Moët & Chandon, visit http://moet.com
For further information on Raindance, visit www.raindance.org
Current Rules & Eligibility:
All films must be submitted for consideration by September 19th 2014.
A feature 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 1st December 2013 and 30th November 2014.
Where there is any major studio substantially funding a film, the total budget must not exceed $20M. Films are not defined as “independent” strictly on the terms of financing.
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
A feature film must be no less than 70 minutes in length.
Films that have been entered previously are not eligible. Re-issues of previously released films are not eligible.
Best British Feature Documentary. In 2003 the British Independent Film Awards introduced this new award. Eligible films must be non-fiction. They should be photographed in actual occurrence, or employ partial re-enactment, stock footage, stills, animation, stop-motion or other techniques, as long as the emphasis is on fact and not on fiction. (Further eligibility criteria as with other feature films above).
Best International Independent Film. BIFA also consider foreign independent films. Foreign films must have a British theatrical release during the eligibility period stated above
The Douglas Hickox Award is to be given a British director for their debut feature film. The estate of Douglas Hickox shall present a cheque for £500 to the winner.
British Short Film Award submissions: Any British short film that has been accepted as part of the Official Selection at one of BIFAs recognised film festivals [See bifa.org.uk] OR has won an award during the eligibility period. Any variations are at the sole discretion of BIFA. A short film must be no longer than 40 minutes (including credits).
All eligible films submitted for consideration will be viewed by the BIFA Pre-Selection Committee. Members vote by secret ballot firstly to draw up a long list then again to determine the nominations. All nominated films are then viewed by an independent Jury appointed each year. The winners are announced during the evening of the Awards Ceremony. [See Voting Policy]
The Special Jury Prize will be decided entirely at the Jury’s discretion.
The Variety Award recognises an actor, director, writer or producer who has helped to focus the international spotlight on the UK
The Richard Harris Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Film by an Actor (male/female) to be decided by the Advisory Committee with the input of the Harris family.
Under exceptional circumstances, inclusion and consideration of films which do not strictly comply with the above criteria will be subject to the discretion of the British Independent Film Awards Advisory Committee.
All decisions made by BIFA and its members are final and no correspondence will be entered into as to why particular entries were or were not nominated.
– See more at:
For further information on MBIFA, visit www.bifa.org.uk
