Recipients of both The Richard Harris Award and The Variety Award were announced today by Johanna von Fischer and Tessa Collinson, joint Directors, The Moët British Independent Film Awards.
Helena Bonham Carter will receive the coveted Richard Harris Award and Liam Neeson The Variety Award at the glamorous awards ceremony on Sunday 5th December at Old Billingsgate.
The Richard Harris Award was introduced in 2003 in honour of Richard Harris and recognises outstanding contribution to British film by an actor.
Previous winners have included John Hurt, David Thewlis, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent and most recently Daniel Day-Lewis in 2009.
Helena Bonham Carter was born in London and has enjoyed a career on both the small and big screens. For over a decade she has been a familiar face in British productions with varying budgets, including The Wings of the Dove, A Room with a View, Corpse Bride, Hamlet, Howards End, Sweeney Todd, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit, The Harry Potter Franchise, Enid, Alice In Wonderland and The King’s Speech for which she has also received a Best Supporting Actress Nomination at this year’s awards.
She will be seen later in the year in the film adaptation of Nigel Slater’s bestselling novel Toast.
Liam Neeson will pick-up the Variety Award which recognises an actor, director, writer or producer who has helped to focus the international spotlight on the UK.
Neeson is in great company with the Variety Award which was received last year by Sir Michael Caine and previously by JK Rowling, Helen Mirren, Richard Curtis, Michael Sheen and Keira Knightley to name a few.
Born in Northern Ireland, Neeson has been making feature films for nearly thirty years; his notable credits include Husbands and Wives, Rob Roy, Michael Collins and Schindler’s List for which he received Best Actor nominations for the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and the BAFTA’s.
He has established himself as a versatile actor, lending his voice to the most famous fictional lion, Aslan for The Chronicles of Narnia trilogy, taking leading and cameo roles in box office hits such as Batman Begins, Taken, Love Actually, Gangs of New York, Clash of the Titans and The A-Team and in 2011 we will see him star in Unknown with Diane Kruger and The Hangover Part II with Zach Galifianakis.
Both Helena Bonham Carter and Liam Neeson will be present on the 5th December to receive their awards.
Providing this year’s Award trophies is Swarovski, who will produce sparkling crystal awards for 2010. Nadja Swarovski, VP International Communications and Creative Director said: "Swarovski is proud to support The Moët British Independent Film Awards by supplying new trophies for this year's exceptional winners.
"The contribution of the awards, designed by Tokujin Yoshioka for Swarovski Crystal Palace, celebrate Swarovski's rich heritage in film and television."
The Jury for 2010 was previously announced but additions for this year include Chair of the Jury Duncan Kenworthy (producer), Franny Armstrong (director) and Clare Binns (Director of Programming, City Screen).
Academy Award Nominated Kenworthy, whose credits include Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Love Actually commented: "I’m delighted to have been asked to chair this year’s jury.
"Independent films are vital for the health of the British film industry, and the Moët British Independent Film Awards a crucial rallying point for independent film."
Other jury members include: Mags Arnold (Editor), Finola Dwyer (Producer), Matthew Goode (Actor), Matt Greenhalgh (Writer), Andy Harries (Producer), Gemma Jones (Actress), David Mackenzie (Director), James Marsh (Director), Hannah McGill (Writer, Critic & Festival Programmer), Sean Pertwee (Actor), Jamie Sives (Actor), Jason Solomons (Film Critic) and Gary Williamson (Production Designer).
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