"Metro Manila" Tops 2013 British Independent Film Awards

by Amos Semien

The British-Filipino film, Metro Manila, was named "Best British Independent Film" by the British Independent Film Awards.  The crime drama won three awards, including "Best Director" for Sean Ellis.  Metro Manila follows a man who moves his family from the rural Philippines to Manila and finds peril in his new life and job.

The British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) were created in 1998.  This film award celebrates merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, honors new film talent, and promotes British films and filmmaking to a wider public.  The awards are currently sponsored by Moët & Chandon Champagne.

The winners of the 2013 edition of the BIFA were announced at the 16th Moët British Independent Film Awards ceremony on Sunday, December 8, 2013 held at the Old Billingsgate in London and hosted by BIFA-winning actor, James Nesbitt.

The 16th Annual Moët British Independent Film Awards winners:

BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM (Sponsored by Moët & Chandon):
Metro Manila

BEST DIRECTOR (Sponsored by AllCity & Intermission):
Sean Ellis – Metro Manila

THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR] - Sponsored by 3 Mills Studios:
Paul Wright – For Those in Peril

BEST SCREENPLAY:
Steven Knight – Locke

BEST ACTRESS (Sponsored by M.A.C Cosmetics):
Lindsay Duncan – Le Week-end

BEST ACTOR (Sponsored by BBC Films):
James McAvoy – Filth

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Imogen Poots – The Look Of Love

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (Sponsored by Sanderson & St Martins Lane):
Ben Mendelsohn – Starred Up

MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER (Sponsored by Studiocanal):
Chloe Pirrie – Shell

BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION (Sponsored by Company3):
Metro Manila

BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT (Sponsored by LightBrigade Media):
Amy Hubbard – Casting – The Selfish Giant

BEST DOCUMENTARY:
Pussy Riot - A Punk Prayer

BEST BRITISH SHORT (Supported by BFI NET.WORK):
Z1

BEST INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM:
Blue is the Warmest Colour

THE RAINDANCE AWARD (Sponsored by Wentworth Media and Arts):
The Machine

THE RICHARD HARRIS AWARD (for outstanding contribution by an actor to British Film):
Julie Walters

THE VARIETY AWARD:
Paul Greengrass

THE SPECIAL JURY PRIZE:
Sixteen Films & Friends (AKA Team Loach)

http://www.bifa.org.uk/

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