The winners of the eleventh annual British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) were announced at a star-studded event on Sunday 30 November at Old Billingsgate Market in London. As a key sponsor to the event, Film London congratulates the winners and all of this year’s nominated films.

Elliot Grove, founder of Raindance and the BIFAs, commented: "Tonight’s nominations and award winners prove that film-making in Britain is alive and well."

The big winner of the night was Slumdog Millionaire. The film won three awards for Best Film and netted director Danny Boyle Best Director - an award for which he was previously nominated in 2003, for 28 Days Later. The star of Slumdog Millionaire, actor Dev Patel, also picked up Most Promising Newcomer of the Year. 

Steve McQueen’s feature film debut Hunger was another big winner on the night. McQueen was awarded the Douglas Hickox Award for Best Debut Director, Michael Fassbender received Best Actor for his depiction of Bobby Sands and cinematographer, Sean Bobbit, won the award for Best Technical Achievement.

Actor David Thewlis was honoured with the Richard Harris Award for his Outstanding Contribution to Film and Michael Sheen, star of the hotly anticipated Frost/Nixon, was presented with the Variety Award for bringing the international spotlight to the British film industry.

Johanna von Fischer and Tessa Collinson, BIFA co-directors, said: “It’s been another stellar year for independent film in Britain. The diverse range of films nominated showcases an astounding line-up of talent both new and established that demands to be celebrated.”

Find out more about the 2008 British Independent Film Awards on the official website: www.bifa.org.uk.


See below for a full list of winners:

• Best British Independent Film
  Slumdog Millionaire
• Best Director
  Danny Boyle – Slumdog Millionaire
• The Douglas Hickox Award [Best Debut Director]
  Steve McQueen – Hunger
• Best Screenplay
  Martin McDonagh – In Bruges
• Best Actress
  Vera Farmiga – The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
• Best Actor
  Michael Fassbender – Hunger
• Best Supporting Actress
  Alexis Zegerman – Happy-Go-Lucky
• Best Supporting Actor
  Eddie Marsan – Happy-Go-Lucky
• Most Promising Newcomer
  Dev Patel – Slumdog Millionaire
• Best Achievement in Production
  The Escapist
• Raindance Award
  Zebra Crossings                                                        
• Best Technical Achievement
  Cinematography – Sean Bobbitt – Hunger 
• Best Documentary
  Man on Wire
• Best British Short
  Soft
• Best Foreign Film
  Waltz with Bashir
• The Richard Harris Award (for Outstanding Contribution to British Film)
  David Thewlis
• The Variety Award
  Michael Sheen
• The Special Jury Prize
  Joe Dunton