Yesterday BIFA had their awards ceremony and surprise-surprise there was NO live streaming! They decided to do the red-black-carpet, some winners interviews and perhaps more that I was not interested in watching. Nevertheless was able to follow winners in twiter feeds from official site plus more that announced live.The most pleasant news for me is the recognition of Andrea Arnold that won Best Director and her film American Honey got the Best British Independent Film award plus Sasha Lane won Best Actress and Robbie Ryan won Outstanding Achievement in Craft. American Honey was the top award winner and lead with four (4) awards. Most interesting is to have UK's submission to Oscar in the foreign language category, Under the Shadow, following with three (3) awards. Surprisingly, Cannes Palm d'Or winner, I, Daniel Blake collected two (2) awards.
The Special Jury Prize was presented to Clare Binns by Edith Bowman and Mark Herbert. The jury praised her unstinting efforts in bringing independent film to new audiences.
As previously announced Naomie Harris was presented The Variety Award by Danny Boyle in recognition of the global impact she has made in 2016, helping to focus the international film spotlight on the UK. The Richard Harris Award was presented to Alison Steadman by Richard Harris’ granddaughter Ella Harris and Alison’s co-star from Life Is Sweet, Claire Skinner. The award recognizes outstanding contribution to British film by an actor.
Best British Independent Film: American Honey, Andrea Arnold
Best Documentary: Notes on Blindness, Pete Middleton and James Spinney
Best Director: Andrea Arnold for American Honey
The Douglas Hickox Award for Debut Director: Babak Anvari for Under the Shadow
Best Screenplay: Babak Anvari for Under the Shadow
Debut Screenwriter: Rachel Tunnard for Adult Life Skills
Best Actress: Sasha Lane in American Honey
Best Supporting Actress: Avin Manshadi in Under the Shadow
Best Actor: Dave Johns in I, Daniel Blake
Best Supporting Actor: Brett Goldstein in Adult Life Skills
Most Promising Newcomer: Hayley Squires in I, Daniel Blake
Outstanding Achievement in Craft: Robbie Ryan, cinematographer, American Honey
The Discovery Award: The Greasy Strangler, Jim Hosking
Best International Independent Film: Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, USA
Breakthrough Producer: Camille Gatin for The Girl With All the Gifts
Best British Short: Jacked, Rene Pannevis
To check winners at ther official site go here.