The London Evening Standard tonight unveiled the winners of its British Film Awards at Television Centre, in White City. The awards ceremony, hosted by comedian and TV presenter Simon Amstell, celebrated an astounding year for British cinema and film talent, attracting high-profile guests to shine a spotlight on the industry’s remarkable creativity. The star-studded event drew in big names from the acting world, including Agyness Dean, Idris Elba, Tuppence Middleton, Stanley Tucci, Matthew Perry, Vanessa Redgrave and Tom Courtenay.
John Crowley’s Brooklyn claimed the top prize in the category for Best Film, presented by Matthew Perry, surpassing other contenders 45 Years, The Lobster and High-Rise. Meanwhile, Idris Elba was awarded Best Actor, presented by Vanessa Redgrave, for his performance in West African civil war drama Beasts of No Nation. In the Best Actress category, Maggie Smith’s tragi-comic portrayal of her character in The Lady in the Van saw her picking up the accolade for Best Actress, presented by David Hare. This is now the fourth time Dame Maggie Smith has been recognised by the Evening Standard in this category; thirty seven years since she first won the award for her performance in California Suite.
From established film luminaries to the most exciting rising talent, the full Evening Standard British Film Awards shortlist is below with winners in bold:
BEST FILM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TELEVISION CENTRE:
Brooklyn
45 Years
High-Rise
The Lobster
The film’s director, John Crowley, picked up the award, presented by actor Matthew Perry
BEST ACTOR:
Tom Courtenay (45 Years)
Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation)
Michael Fassbender (Macbeth/ Steve Jobs)
Idris Elba was presented the award by actress Vanessa Redgrave
BEST ACTRESS:
Emily Blunt (Sicario)
Charlotte Rampling (45 Years)
Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn)
Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van)
Maggie Smith was presented the award by English playwright and director David Hare
BEST DOCUMENTARY:
Amy
My Nazi Legacy
Palio
Amy’s childhood friends and first manager picked up the award, presented by actress Tuppence Middleton
BEST SCREENPLAY:
Emma Donoghue (Room)
Nick Hornby (Brooklyn)
Carol Morley (The Falling)
StudioCanal’s Danny Perkins picked up the award on behalf of Emma Donoghue, which was presented by actress Jessica Hynes
RISING STAR:
Tom Browne (director, Radiator)
Jake Davies (X+Y)
Agyness Dean (Sunset Song)
Maisie Williams (The Falling)
Maisie Williams was presented the award by actor Adrian Lester
AWARD FOR COMEDY(Film or performance):
Bill (director Richard Bracewell, writers Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond)
Olivia Colman (The Lobster)
Colin Farrell (The Lobster)
Emma Thompson (The Legend of Barney Thomson)
Emma Thompson was presented the award by actor Stanley Tucci
TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT:
Roger Deakins, cinematographer of Sicario
Mark Digby, production designer ofEx-Machina
Michael McDonough, cinematographer of Sunset Song
Mark Tildesley, production designer of High-Rise
Mark Digby was presented the award by actress Ashley Jensen
SPECIAL AWARD (OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION):
Alan Bennett for his contribution to British Film
Alan Bennett was presented the award by actor Alex Jennings
EDITOR’S AWARD:
45 Years
The Editor’s Award is a special award to celebrate an extraordinary achievement or person that has lit up the industry in the last year. This year’s winner is Andrew Haigh’s romantic drama 45 Years, a chilling look at the fault line opening under a long-term marriage. The film stars Tom Courtenay and Charlotte Rampling, and has been nominated for various awards since its release.
Sir Tom Courtenay and the film’s producer Tristan Goligher picked up the award, which was presented by actress Emilia Fox
BLOCKBUSTER OF THE YEAR:
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Fifty Shades of Grey
Furious 7
Inside Out
Jurassic World
Home
Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2
Minions
Spectre
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
This award is voted for by the readers of the London Evening Standard, who were asked to vote for their favourite from the top ten UK box office grossers of 2015. The winner, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, smashed records for the biggest box office debut weekend globally, with J.J. Abrams’ film also achieving the largest four-day weekend total revenue in British and Irish cinemas.
C-3PO’s Anthony Daniels picked up the award, presented by actress Kelly Macdonald
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