FILM4’S GIANT SWEEP AT
BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS

Film arm of C4 confirms position as leading light in British film with 10 awards


Film4 has claimed its position as the leading light in British filmmaking tonight, amassing no less than 10 British Independent Film Awards.

Along with winning Best British Independent Film for Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire and Best Director, Film4 funded award winners included Best Actor for Michael Fassbender (Hunger), Best Supporting Actor and Actress with Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky stars Eddie Marsan and Alexis Zegerman taking both awards respectively.

Hunger director Steve McQueen received The Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director), Dev Patel won Best Newcomer for his role in Slumdog Millionaire, Martin McDonagh won Best Screenplay Award for In Bruges, Director of Photography Sean Bobbitt won the Best Technical Achievement Award for Hunger, and Simon Ellis’ remarkably powerful Soft won Best British Short.

Film4 had received an astonishing 27 nominations in 13 of 18 possible categories for films and talent it has backed. Its core remit as a film funding body is to finance and contribute hands-on development and production expertise to filmmakers.

“This is a vital moment for Film4,” said Tessa Ross , Head of Film4. “Tonight has proven that Film4 continues to play a central role in nurturing extraordinary British filmmaking talent. In this climate of uncertainty, Film4 offers a necessary home for the best of British filmmaking.”

Film4’s current slate of British feature films either in production or due to be released includes Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones, Sam Taylor Wood’s Nowhere Boy, Kevin Macdonald’s Roman epic Eagle of the Ninth, Ken Loach’s Looking for Eric and Paul King’s Bunny and the Bull.

Film4’s strong support of British filmmaking, not only in cash terms, but also through its knowledge in all areas of the industry and its supportive business and creative guidance has led many filmmakers on to international success. Directors such as Shane Meadows, Michael Winterbottom, Andrea Arnold, Kevin Macdonald, Roger Michell and Mike Leigh have all benefited from Film4’s unflinching support of their vision.

With the major awards season around the corner Film4 hopes many of its titles will be considered for nomination.

Source: Press Release