Monday, December 02, 2019

2019 British Independent Film Awards Winners


The awards ceremony for the 22nd edition of the BIFA's was hosted by actress and comedian Aisling Bea and held at London's Old Billingsgate last night, December 1st.

Cannes 2019 Documentary Golden Eye Award winner For Sama became top award winner by winning four main awards: Best British Independent Film, Best Documentary, Best Director, and Best Editing; it's the first time a documentary wins BIFA's top award.

The Personal History of David Copperfield won five awards: Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design which makes film the most awards winner of this edition.

Perhaps the most interesting win of the night is what many claim it's the first win on the road to an Oscar, as Renée Zellweger wins Best Actress for her performance in Judy.  Last year Olivia Colman started collecting honors at BIFA and many expect Zellweger to go the same route as Colman went.  Can help but to mention that there is another BIFA winner almost sure-thing in the race to become Oscar-winner, yes, acclaimed 2019 Cannes Palme d'Or winner Parasite.

The Richard Harris Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Actor to British Film went to none other than extraordinary Dame Kristin Scott Thomas. Kristin Scott Thomas has created many memorable characters in iconic British films. Whether she is making us laugh, cry or shake in our shoes, it is always in that inimitable Kristin Scott Thomas way. The Richard Harris award at this year’s BIFAs is richly deserved.  Absolutely agree.

The Winners

Best British Independent FilmFor Sama, Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts, UK and Syria



The Raindance Discovery Award: Children of the Snow Land, Zara Balfour, Marcus Stephenson and Mark Hakansson, UK and Nepal
Best Documentary: For Sama, Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts, UK and Syria
Best International Independent Film: 기생충 Gisaengchoong (Parasite), Bong Joon-ho, South Korea

Best Director:  Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts for For Sama, UK and Syria
Douglas Hickox Award for Debut Director: Harry Wootliff for Only You, UK and Sweden

Best Screenplay: Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell for The Personal History of David Copperfield, Armando Iannuci, UK and USA
Debut Screenwriter: Emma Jane Unsworth for Animals, Sophie Hyde, UK, Australia and Ireland

Best Actress:  Renée Zellweger in Judy, Rupert Goold, UK
Best Supporting Actress: Ruthxjiah Bellenea in The Last Tree, Shola Amoo, UK
Best Actor: Josh O'Connor in Only You, Harry Wootliff, UK and Sweden
Best Supporting Actor: Hug Laurie in The Personal History of David Copperfield, Armando Iannuci, UK and USA
Most Promising Newcomer:  Sam Adewunmi in The Last Tree, Shola Amoo, UK

Best Cinematography: Benjamin Kracun for Beats, Brian Welsh, UK
Best Effects: Howard Jones for A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon, Will Becher and Richard Phelan, UK, France and USA
Best Editing: Chloe Lambourne and Simon McMahon for For Sama, Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts, UK and Syria
Breakthrough Producer:  Kate Byers and Linn Waite for Bait, Mark Jenkin, UK
Best Casting: Sarah Crowe for The Personal History of David Copperfield, Armando Iannuci, UK and USA
Best Costume Design: Suzie Harman and Robert Worley for The Personal History of David Copperfield, Armando Iannuci, UK and USA
Best Production Design: Cristina Casali for The Personal History of David Copperfield, Armando Iannuci, UK and USA
Best Makeup & Hair Design: Jeremy Woodhead for Judy, Rupert Goold, Uk
Best Music: Jack Arnold for Wild Rose, Tom Harper, UK
Best Sound: David Bowtle-McMillian, Joakim Sundstrom and Robert Farr for Beats, Brian Welsh, UK

Best British Short Film: Anna, Dekel Berenson, Ukraine, UK and Israel, 15'

The Richard Harris Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Actor to British Film:  Kristin Scott Thomas
Special Jury Prize:  Amanda Nevill, outgoing CEO of the British Film Institute

To check winners at official site go here.

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