No Frears

It was a good night for Stephen Frears last night as the director saw his film, Dirty Pretty Things lauded as star of the show at the 2003 British Independent Film Awards. The movie, which tells a tale of illegal immigration, drug dealing and the seedier side of London life, walked away with gongs for best Screenplay, Best Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Best Director for Frears himself. Michael Winterbottom's In This World came a respectable second with Best Editor and Best Achievement in Production, alongside Richard Jobson's 16 Years of Alcohol, which took Best Supporting Performance for Susan Lynch and Best Debut Director. The excellent Olivia Williams took Best Actress for her role in The Heart of Me and Harry Eden, the young star of the criminally underexposed Pure deservedly took home a gong for Most Promising Newcomer. No surprises for guessing Best Foreign film as the unspeakably brilliant City of God had that locked from the get go. The list in full: Best British Film Dirty Pretty Things Best Achievement In Production In This World Best British Documentary Bodysong Best British Short Film Dad's Dead Best Director of a British Independent Film Stephen Frears - Dirty Pretty Things Best Foreign Independent Film City Of God Best Performance by a Supporting Actor or Actress in a British Independent Film Susan Lynch - 16 Years of Alcohol Best Performance by an Actor in a British Independent Film Chiwetel Ejiofor - Dirty Pretty Things Best Performance by an Actress in a British Independent Film Olivia Williams - Heart Of Me Best Screenplay Steve Knight - Dirty Pretty Things Best Technical Achievement Peter Christelis - Editing - In This World British Airways Bursary Lenka Clayton Most Promising Newcomer Harry Eden - Pure The Douglas Hickox Award Richard Jobson - 16 Years of Alcohol The Richard Harris Award John Hurt The Special Jury Prize Jeremy Thomas Jury 2003 Award - Best Ensemble Cast The Magdalene Sisters The Variety UK Personality Award Sir Ian McKellen