Independent's Night
Marshall and Meirelles steal the show as BIFA continues to surprise
As the winners at the various awards ceremonies get easier to call each year, those outstanding people at the British Independent Film Awards got together for the 8th time to lead the fight for the Brit indie flick and they did it with diversity and style.
Receiving the big prizes on the night were Fernando Meirelles' political story of intrigue and love The Constant Gardener, which took home Best Actor (Ralph Fiennes), Best Actress (Rachel Weisz) and Best Film.
Not far behind was friend of Total Film, Neil Marshall, whose slim-budgeted caving-creepshow The Descent earned him a Best Director nod, along with a gong for Best Technical Achievement for editor Jon Harris.
Best Debut Director went to Scot helmer Annie Griffin for black comedy Festival, a sideways glance at the annual Edinburgh fringe. Best Screenplay went to Frank Cottrell Boyce for Millions, while Rosamund Pike took home the plaudit for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Elizabeth Malet in Laurence Dunmore's period drama The Libertine.
Pirates Of The Caribbean star Keira Knightley received the Variety UK Personality Award, while Narnia star Tilda Swinton walked away with the Richard Harris Award for Outstanding Achievement to the craft.
Here is a full list of winners from last night's bash:
Best British Independent Film
The Constant Gardener
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Best Actor
Ralph Fiennes - The Constant Gardener
Best Actress
Rachel Weisz - The Constant Gardener
Best Supporting Actor/Actress
Rosamund Pike - The Libertine
Most Promising Newcomer
Emily Barclay - In My Father's Den
Best Director - Sponsored by The Creative Partnership
Neil Marshall - The Descent
Best Screenplay - Sponsored by BBC Films
Frank Cottrell Boyce - Millions
Douglas Hickox Award (Debut Director) - Sponsored by Cineworld
Annie Griffin - Festival
Best Technical Achievement
Jon Harris - The Descent
Best Achievement in Production - Sponsored by Recorded Picture Company
Gypo
Best Foreign Film
Downfall
Best Documentary
Liberace of Baghdad
The Raindance Award
Evil Aliens
The Variety UK Personality of the Year
Keira Knightley
The Special Jury Prize - sponsored by The UK Film Council
Sandy Lieberson
The Richard Harris Award For Outstanding Achievement - Sponsored by Buena Vista
Tilda Swinton
Best British Short Film
Six Shooter
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