Sexy Beast Scores At BIFA

The fourth annual British Independent Film Awards took place last night, and as is customary on these occasions, Empire Online was there on the red carpet chatting to the stars. The event, set up by the British Film Institute attracted a plethora of British stars including Ray Winstone, Joely Richardson and Timothy Spall, whose just finished shooting the Untitled Mike Leigh project. 'We finished that in early September.' Does it have a title? 'Not yet. What I can tell you is that it's contemporary and set in London.' Winstone, who was pipped to the Best Actor post by fellow Sexy Beast star Ben Kingsley, was on good form and happy to push the awards themselves. 'They advertise the British film industry, which we need, so they're very important.' So would he be supporting the upcoming Equity strike? 'No. I've never asked for any help along the way and I think it might dig a hole for us. I need to look into it a bit, but if you don't like the deal don't do the job.' But now - on to the real heart of the evening - the winners. Best British Independent Film Sexy Beast Best Foreign Independent Film - Foreign Language In the Mood for Love Best Foreign Independent Film - English Language Memento Best Actor Ben Kingsley - Sexy Beast Best Actress Kate Ashfield - Late Night Shopping Best Director Jonathon Glazer - Sexy Beast The Douglas Hickox Award - for a British director on their debut feature Best Screenplay Louis Mellis & David Scinto - Sexy Beast Most Promising Newcomer Ben Whishaw - My Brother Tom Best Technical Achievement Roman Osin - The Warrior Best Achievement in Production Gas Attack Best Music Dave Pearce - South West Nine British Producer of the Year Jeremy Thomas The Lifetime Achievement Award Chris Menges The FilmFour Special Jury Prize Bob & Harvey Weinstein The Variety UK Personality of the Year Award Richard Curtis