Zendaya and Priyanka Chopra present at the 23rd British Independent Film Awards

The 23rd British Independent Film Awards took place virtually on Thursday night and a host of celebrities appeared via video link to celebrate the occasion. 

Zendaya, 24, and Priyanka Chopra, 38, were among some of the glam attendees who presented at the awards.

Actress Zendaya wore a graphic print top under a blazer, while Priyanka opted for a statement layered oversized white shirt.

Showbiz: Zendaya (pictured) and Priyanka Chopra appeared via video link to present at the 23rd British Independent Film Awards on Thursday

Bringing the glam: Priyanka Chopra Jonas presented Best Director to Remi Weekes

Bringing the glam: Priyanka Chopra Jonas presented Best Director to Remi Weekes

The Best British Independent Film was awarded to coming-of-age drama Rocks by Zendaya.

Priyanka presented the Best Director award to Remi Weekes. 

Actress Kosar Ali also took home the awards for both Best Supporting Actress and Most Promising Newcomer with her young co-star D’Angelou Osei Kissiedu winning Best Supporting Actor.  

Giving out the gongs: The Best British Independent Film was awarded to coming-of-age drama Rocks by Zendaya

Giving out the gongs: The Best British Independent Film was awarded to coming-of-age drama Rocks by Zendaya

Bringing the glamour: Priyanka opted for a statement layered oversized white shirt

Bringing the glamour: Priyanka opted for a statement layered oversized white shirt

Harry Potter star Tom Felton looked dapper as he suited up to host the event. Taking charge, Tom fronted the ceremony, being held virtually this year due to COVID-19

Tom, 33, looked suave in a midnight blue velvet suit and burnt orange tie, paired with a crisp white shirt, all by Paul Smith.

He added a rainbow pin to the look, in support of the NHS, and wore round black-framed glasses.

The Murder In The First actor settled into a teal armchair to host the awards, as he linked up virtually to the nominees, winners and guest hosts. 

Live from Wales, where he is filming Save the Cinema for Sky Cinema, Tom welcomed a glittering array of stars to announce the winners. 

Suave: Tom Felton looked dapper as he suited up to host the event

Suave: Tom Felton looked dapper as he suited up to host the event 

Taking charge: Tom fronted the ceremony, being held virtually this year due to COVID-19

Taking charge: Tom fronted the ceremony, being held virtually this year due to COVID-19

Smart: Harry Potter star Tom, 33, looked suave in a midnight blue velvet suit and burnt orange tie, paired with a crisp white shirt

Smart: Harry Potter star Tom, 33, looked suave in a midnight blue velvet suit and burnt orange tie, paired with a crisp white shirt

Ready to go: The Murder In The First actor settled into a teal armchair to host the awards

Ready to go: The Murder In The First actor settled into a teal armchair to host the awards

Linking up: He connected virtually to the nominees, winners and guest hosts [pictured with Yinka Bokinni]

Linking up: He connected virtually to the nominees, winners and guest hosts [pictured with Yinka Bokinni]

The four awards on the night took the film’s BIFA tally to five with Lucy Pardee winning the award for Best Casting sponsored by Casting Society of America and Spotlight when the craft award winners were announced in January.

British horror His House was awarded two BIFAs on the night with Remi Weekes winning Best Director and Wunmi Mosaku winning Best Actress for her acclaimed performance with the awards for Best Production Design sponsored by Studio Juice won by Jacqueline Abrahams and Best Effects going to Pedro Sabrosa and Stefano Pepin.

Anthony Hopkins’ poignant portrayal of an ageing man in The Father won him Best Actor amongst three wins for the film which also took home the awards for Best Screenplay sponsored by BBC Film for Florian Zeller, who also directed, and Christopher Hampton, and Best Editing sponsored by Intermission Film for Yorgos Lamprinos.

Support: He added a rainbow pin to the look, in support of the NHS

Support: He added a rainbow pin to the look, in support of the NHS

On duty: The show was hosted live from Wales, where Tom is filming Save the Cinema for Sky

On duty: The show was hosted live from Wales, where Tom is filming Save the Cinema for Sky

Nominees: Tom welcomed a glittering array of stars to announce the winners

Nominees: Tom welcomed a glittering array of stars to announce the winners

Trio: Tom is pictured enjoying a laugh with Rafe Spall and Esther Smith

Trio: Tom is pictured enjoying a laugh with Rafe Spall and Esther Smith

In good company: James Norton presented the Best Supporting Actress award

In good company: James Norton presented the Best Supporting Actress award

There he is: Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page presented the gong for Debut Director

There he is: Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page presented the gong for Debut Director

THE BIFA WINNERS…  

Best British Independent Film

“Rocks” – Sarah Gavron, Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson, Faye Ward, Ameenah Ayub Allen

Best Director

Remi Weekes – “His House”

Best Screenplay sponsored by BBC Film

Florian Zeller, Christopher Hampton – “The Father”

Best Actress

Wunmi Mosaku – “His House”

Best Actor

Anthony Hopkins – “The Father”

Best Supporting Actress

Kosar Ali – “Rocks”

Best Supporting Actor

D’Angelou Osei Kissiedu – “Rocks”

The Douglas Hickox Award (Debut Director) sponsored by Kodak & Pinewood

Rose Glass – “Saint Maud”

Breakthrough Producer

Irune Gurtubai – “Limbo” (also produced by Angus Lamont)

Debut Screenwriter sponsored by Film4

Riz Ahmed – “Mogul Mowgli” (co-written by Bassam Tariq)

Most Promising Newcomer

Kosar Ali – “Rocks”

Best Documentary

“The Reason I Jump” – Jerry Rothwell, Jeremy Dear, Stevie Lee, Al Morrow

The Raindance Discovery Award

“Perfect 10” – Eva Riley, Jacob Thomas, Bertrand Faivre, Valentina Brazzini

Best British Short Film supported by BFI NETWORK

“The Long Goodbye” – Aneil Karia, Riz Ahmed, Tom Gardner

Best International Independent Film sponsored by Champagne Taittinger

“Nomadland” – Chloé Zhao, Frances McDormand, Peter Spears, Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey

Best Casting sponsored by Casting Society of America & Spotlight

Lucy Pardee – “Rocks”

Best Cinematography sponsored by Dirty Looks

Ben Fordesman – “Saint Maud”

Best Costume Design

Charlotte Walter – “Misbehaviour”

Best Editing sponsored by Intermission Film

Yorgos Lamprinos – “The Father”

Best Effects

Pedro Sabrosa, Stefano Pepin – “His House”

Best Make Up & Hair Design

Jill Sweeney – “Misbehaviour”

Best Music sponsored by Universal Music Publishing Group

Paul Corley – “Mogul Mowgli”

Best Production Design sponsored by Studio Juice

Jacqueline Abrahams – “His House”

Best Sound supported by Halo Post

Nick Ryan, Ben Baird, Sara De Oliveira Lima – “The Reason I Jump”

 

Riz Ahmed took home the award for Debut Screenwriter sponsored by Film4 for Mogul Mowgli, also written by Bassam Tariq, which was also awarded Best Music sponsored by Universal Music Publishing Group for Paul Corley.

Saint Maud director Rose Glass was awarded The Douglas Hickox Award for Debut Director sponsored by Kodak & Pinewood with Ben Fordesman winning Best Cinematography sponsored by Dirty Looks in January.

The Breakthrough Producer trophy went to Irune Gurtubai for her work on Limbo, director Ben Sharrock’s poignant look at the asylum experience on a remote Scottish island.

Crowning glory: Emma Corrin presented the award for Best Supporting Actor

Crowning glory: Emma Corrin presented the award for Best Supporting Actor

Legend: Anthony Hopkins was honoured with the Best Actor gong for The Father

Legend: Anthony Hopkins was honoured with the Best Actor gong for The Father

Fresh talent: Riz Ahmed presented the Most Promising Newcomer gong to Kosar Ali

Fresh talent: Riz Ahmed presented the Most Promising Newcomer gong to Kosar Ali

Shocked: Actress Kosar Ali took home the awards for both Best Supporting Actress and Most Promising Newcomer

Thrilled: She looked overjoyed at her double win

Shocked: Actress Kosar Ali took home the awards for both Best Supporting Actress and Most Promising Newcomer 

Double up: Brett Goldstein and JunoTemple presented Best International Independent Film sponsored by Champagne Taittinger and won by Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland

Double up: Brett Goldstein and JunoTemple presented Best International Independent Film sponsored by Champagne Taittinger and won by Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland

Jerry Rothwell’s documentary The Reason I Jump won Best Documentary on the night and Best Sound for Nick Ryan, Ben Baird and Sara De Oliveira Lima. 

Misbehaviour was awarded Best Make-Up and Hair Design for Jill Sweeney and Best Costume Design for Charlotte Walter.

Best Short Film sponsored by the BFI Network went to Aneil Karia, Riz Ahmed and Tom Gardner for The Long Goodbye and The Raindance Discovery Award went to Perfect 10.

The only category of the night open to non-UK films, Best International Independent Film sponsored by Champagne Taittinger, was won by Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland.

Chat: Tom talks to Susan Wokoma

Chat: Tom talks to Susan Wokoma

Presenting duty: Daniel Kaluuya announced the Best Actress gong

Presenting duty: Daniel Kaluuya announced the Best Actress gong

Congratulations: Wunmi Mosaku won Best Actress for her acclaimed performance in His House

Congratulations: Wunmi Mosaku won Best Actress for her acclaimed performance in His House

Ensemble: Sareah Gavron, Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson, Faye Ward and Ameenah Allen won for Rocks in the Best British Independent Film category

Ensemble: Sareah Gavron, Theresa Ikoko, Claire Wilson, Faye Ward and Ameenah Allen won for Rocks in the Best British Independent Film category

Winner: Rose Glass won The Douglas Hickox Award for Debut Director for Saint Maud

Winner: Rose Glass won The Douglas Hickox Award for Debut Director for Saint Maud

Job well done: Tom rounded off the night with a virtual round of applause for all the nominees and winners

Job well done: Tom rounded off the night with a virtual round of applause for all the nominees and winners

Leave a Comment