It would seem that British independent film is very much alive if last night’s 16th Moët British Independent Film Awards are anything to go by. The cream of British talent turned out at Old Billingsgate for the star-studded ceremony, hosted by BIFA Winning actor James Nesbitt, where this year’s winners were announced. For the first time, the winners took home a brand new award designed by Fredrikson Stallard and created by Swarovski.

Best British Independent Film was won by METRO MANILA with the film’s director Sean Ellis also picking up Best Director and Best Achievement in Production awards. Lindsay Duncan won Best Actress for LE WEEK-END and James McAvoy won Best Actor for FILTH. Imogen Poots collected her BIFA for Best Supporting Actress for THE LOOK OF LOVE and Ben Mendelsohn took home Best Supporting Actor for STARRED UP.

Joint Directors, The Moët British Independent Film Awards Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said, “This year our independent jury had an extremely tough job, they were asked to choose from an impressive pool of talent and creativity in a year where the diversity of storytelling is more extreme than ever. 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.”

As previously announced, Julie Walters was awarded the coveted Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film, and Paul Greengrass the Variety Award, which recognises an actor, director, writer or producer who has helped to shine the international spotlight on the UK. The Special Jury Prize went to Sixteen Films & Friends (AKA Team Loach), in recognition of their contribution, bringing the work of Ken Loach to life.

Ben Roberts, Director of the BFI Film Fund said, “This has been a standout year for British film and the BIFAs has once again kicked off the awards season in style, putting the wild creativity and bold storytelling of the UK’s independent sector centre stage. Congratulations to all the winners and to the BIFAs for doing such a great job of spotlighting so many brilliant filmmakers.’

The Raindance Award was won by sci-fi film THE MACHINE. Elliot Grove, Founder of BIFA and the Raindance Film Festival added: “The breadth, scope and quality of this year’s nominated films shows that British independent films and talent are not only the talk of the town but the talk of audiences everywhere.”

A full list of the winners is below:

BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM (Sponsored by Moët & Chandon)
Metro Manila

BEST DIRECTOR (Sponsored by AllCity & Intermission)
Sean Ellis – Metro Manila

THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR] (Sponsored by 3 Mills Studios)
Paul Wright – For Those in Peril

BEST SCREENPLAY
Steven Knight – Locke

BEST ACTRESS (Sponsored by M.A.C Cosmetics)
Lindsay Duncan – Le Week-end

BEST ACTOR (Sponsored by BBC Films)
James McAvoy – Filth

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Imogen Poots – The Look Of Love

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (Sponsored by Sanderson & St Martins Lane)
Ben Mendelsohn – Starred Up

MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER (Sponsored by Studiocanal)
Chloe Pirrie – Shell

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION (Sponsored by Company3)
Metro Manila

BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT (Sponsored by LightBrigade Media)
Amy Hubbard – Casting – The Selfish Giant

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer

BEST BRITISH SHORT (Supported by BFI NET.WORK)
Z1

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM
Blue is the Warmest Colour

THE RAINDANCE AWARD (Sponsored by Wentworth Media and Arts)
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)