Julie Walters Among Honorees at MOET British Independent Film Awards

British talent turned out this evening for the 16th Moët British Independent Film Awards. The winners were announced at the star-studded ceremony, held at Old Billingsgate which was hosted by BIFA Winning actor James Nesbitt.

For the first time, the lucky winners took home the brand new iconic award designed by Fredrikson Stallard and created by Swarovski. The awards ceremony was streamed live exclusively online at www.film3sixty.com/moetbifa

Best British Independent Film was won by METRO MANILA with the film's director Sean Ellis picking up Best Director. Lindsay Duncan won Best Actress for LE WEEK-END and James McAvoy won Best Actor for FILTH. Imogen Poots collected her BIFA for Best Supporting Actress for THE LOOK OF LOVE and Ben Mendelsohn took home Best Supporting Actor for STARRED UP.

METRO MANILA won the most awards on the night, picking up three trophies for Best Achievement in Production and as previously mentioned Best Director award and Best British Independent Film.

Joint Directors, The Moët British Independent Film Awards Johanna von Fischer & Tessa Collinson said: "This year our independent jury had an extremely tough job, they were asked to choose from an impressive pool of talent and creativity in a year where the diversity of storytelling is more extreme than ever. Thanks to an independent film industry which encompasses so many different cultures, personalities, visions and voices, Britain is producing a new generation of fearless artists both behind and in front of the camera who represent that richness of our diverse British society. With so many of the films exploring themes about being less judgmental and more forgiving, this perhaps reflects a movement within British independent filmmaking that brings much hope for the future."

As previously announced, Julie Walters was awarded the coveted Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film, and Paul Greengrass the Variety Award, which recognises an actor, director, writer or producer who has helped to shine the international spotlight on the UK. The Special Jury Prize went to Sixteen Films & Friends (AKA Team Loach), in recognition of their contribution, bringing the work of Ken Loach to life.

Ben Roberts, Director of the BFI Film Fund said: 'this has been a standout year for British film and the BIFAs has once again kicked off the awards season in style, putting the wild creativity and bold storytelling of the UK's independent sector centre stage. Congratulations to all the winners and to the BIFAs for doing such a great job of spotlighting so many brilliant filmmakers.'

Elsa Corbineau, Marketing Director Moët & Chandon commented: "As a long term supporter of British film, Moët & Chandon is delighted to share in the celebrations of tonight's very well deserved winners. To toast the successes of 2013, guests joined us in creating a seven - foot champagne fountain to salute a year of amazing achievements.'

The Raindance Award was won by THE MACHINE. Elliot Grove, Founder of BIFA and the Raindance Film Festival added: "The breadth, scope and quality of this year's nominated films shows that British independent films and talent are not only the talk of the town but the talk of audiences everywhere."

The Moët British Independent Film Awards are proud to announce the following winners for 2013:

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)

About Julie Walters:

Julie Walters CBE who started out in TV working with comedian Victoria Wood has built a highly successful career spanning 4 decades becoming one of the UK's most beloved actors in the process. She broke in to film with her BAFTA and Golden Globe winning performance in a supporting role in the 1984 international hit EDUCATING RITA where she starred alongside Sir Michael Caine. The role also earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Walters was once again nominated for an Academy Award in 2001 for Stephen Daldry's Billy Elliot and that same year was cast as Molly Weasley in HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE - a character she would continue to play for the next 10 Years as the franchise became a global phenomenon. She has starred in some of British cinema's greatest films including CALENDAR GIRLS in 2003, and one of the highest-grossing UK films of all time MAMMA MIA! Walters will next be seen as 'Nan' in THE Harry Hill MOVIE out later this month, and plays Mrs Bird in the highly anticipated live-action drama PADDINGTON which is due for release in late 2014.

Among Ms. Walters stage credits are Educating Rita, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, The Last of the Haussmans and Acorn Antiques: The Musical.

Proud supporters and patrons of The Moët British Independent Film Awards include Mike Figgis, Tom Hollander, Adrian Lester, Ken Loach, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Samantha Morton, James Nesbitt, Michael Sheen, Trudie Styler, Tilda Swinton, Meera Syal, David Thewlis, Ray Winstone and Michael Winterbottom.

The Moët British Independent Film Awards would like to thank all its supporters, especially: Moët & Chandon, BFI NET.WORK, 3 Mills Studios, BBC Films, Company 3, M.A.C Cosmetics, Raindance, Sanderson & St Martins Lane - Morgans Hotel Group, Soho House, Studiocanal, Swarovski, Variety, Wentworth Media and Arts, LightBrigade, AllCity and Intermission.

Created by Raindance

Recognized for its quality and prestige, Moët & Chandon is the champagne of choice for celebration at international film festivals. The venerable house has captured the attention of Hollywood's brightest stars since the birth of the film industry. Generations of legendary actors, actresses, producers and directors have celebrated their achievements with Moët & Chandon at the most significant and exclusive cinema events, including the OscarsÒ & Golden GlobesÒ celebrations.

For further information on MBIFA, visit www.bifa.org.uk