Ex Machina dominates British Independent Film Awards

Thriller Ex Machina was a quadruple winner at the British Independent Film Awards on Sunday (06Dec15), earning the night’s top honours, including Best British Independent Film.
The sci-fi drama, starring Alicia Vikander and Oscar Isaac, beat out the likes of The Lobster, Macbeth, 45 Years and Amy Winehouse documentary Amy for the biggest award of the night, while its director Alex Garland was also handed the Best Director and Best Screenplay accolades.
Visual effects artist Andrew Whitehurst claimed the fourth victory for Ex Machina with the Outstanding Achievement in Craft.
One of the film’s stars, Domhnall Gleeson, lost out on Best Supporting Actor, but gladly showed his support for his father Brendan Gleeson, who won the prize for his role in Suffragette.
Olivia Colman landed the Best Supporting Actress prize for The Lobster, while other acting awards went to Legend’s Tom Hardy for Best Actor and Brooklyn star Saiorse Ronan for Best Actress.
Tense drama Room was named the Best International Independent Film while Abigail Hardingham (Nina Forever) claimed the Most Promising Newcomer award.
Meanwhile, special accolades were given to 12 Years a Slave star Chiwetel Ejiofor, who was presented with the Richard Harris Award, named after the late Harry Potter star, in recognition of his “exceptional service” to the film industry, and Kate Winslet was handed the Variety honour, which recognises an actor, director, writer or producer who has helped to focus the international spotlight on the U.K.
Upon accepting the prize, Winslet said, “I absolutely love acting. I love it more and more. Independent film has been my best friend for 23 years, and continues to enrich my life beyond measure. Independent film is where I have learned the most and laughed the most.”
The 2015 British Independent Film Awards were handed out at London’s Old Billingsgate Market.