Colin Firth in The King's Speech
The King's Speech won big at the 13th Moët British Independent Film Awards (BIFA's), hosted by James Nesbitt, last night as they scooped five of the awards and look set to claim more this Oscar season. Monsters also managed to bag three awards. The film, starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, follows the story of King George VI and his speech therapist who helped the unsure monarch become worthy of it. It managed to claim Best British Independent Film, Best Screenplay, Best Actor for Colin Firth, Best Supporting Actor for Geoffrey Rush and Best Supporting Actress for Helena Bonham Carter. Helena Bonham Carter was also awarded The Richard Harris Award for her outstanding contribution by an actor to the British film industry). In a press release, Joint Directors of The Moët British Independent Film Awards Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said: "It has been a great year for British film and this years nominations certainly reflected the talent working in the country today. "We are thrilled for all our winners and are so pleased to see such a variety of films taking home awards tonight." Liam Neeson also bagged a top award in the Variety Award which recognises an actor, director, writer or producer who helps to focus the international spotlight on Britain. Gareth Edwards' low-budget Monsters managed three awards with Best Director, Best Technical Achievement and Best Achievement In Production and newcomer Carey Mulligan took the Best Actress award for her turn in Never Let Me Go. A Prophet won Best Independent Foreign Film. Elliot Grove, Founder Raindance Film Festival and BIFA added: "The bumper list of Moët BIFA films this year prove that, in Britain at least, lack of money has done nothing to hamper quality or creativity." Female First James Butlin
Tagged in British Independent Film Awards