American Honey wins four awards, including Best British Independent Film
I, Daniel Blake stars Dave Johns, Hayley Squires celebrated
Moonlight wins Best International Independent Film
London, Sunday 4 December: American Honey won the night at the 2016 British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) held at Old Billingsgate. The film won four awards including Best British Independent Film. Andrea Arnold took home Best Director, Sasha Lane won Best Actress sponsored by MAC and Robbie Ryan’s Cinematography was rewarded with the Outstanding Achievement in Craft award.
The film will be screened in 25 Vue, Odeon and Everyman cinemas across the country on Sunday 11 December, as the first in the BIFA Independents screening series supported by the BFI.
Also recognized was the eponymous hero of I, Daniel Blake, Dave Johns. He took home the Best Actor award, while his co-star Hayley Squires was named Most Promising Newcomer sponsored by The London EDITION.
Under the Shadow collected three awards: Best Screenplay sponsored by BBC Films and The Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director) both went to Babak Anvari. Avin Manshadi, the film’s nine-year-old star, won Best Supporting Actress.
Brett Goldstein was named Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Adult Life Skills and the film’s writer Rachel Tunnard won the inaugural Best Debut Screenwriter award.
Notes on Blindness was named Best Documentary. Camille Gatin received the Breakthrough Producer award for her debut project The Girl With All the Gifts. Cult comedy The Greasy Strangler won The Discovery Award sponsored by Raindance.
The Best British Short Film award, sponsored by NOWNESS, was presented to Jacked.
The only category of the night open to non-UK film, Best International Independent Film sponsored by Champagne Taittinger, was won by Moonlight.
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 recognises outstanding contribution to British film by an actor.
The nineteenth BIFA ceremony was hosted by Jennifer Saunders at Old Billingsgate. Highlights from the ceremony can be viewed at facebook.com/bifa.film
For a full list of winners click here
