(Caroline Bonarde Ucci) Helen Mirren at the Orange British Academy Film Awards in London's Royal Opera House in February 2007. (This image is protected by the GNU Free Documentation License.)
Top British Talent Backs the BIFAs
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JULY 10, 2009
British Independent Film Awards

Three of Britain’s top internationally renowned stars are backing the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) by becoming official patrons of the organisation. Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen and David Thewlis will join the prestigious list of other patrons including Mike Figgis, Tom Hollander, Adrian Lester, Ken Loach, Ewan McGregor, Samantha Morton, Bill Nighy, Trudie Styler, Tilda Swinton, Meera Syal, Ray Winstone and Michael Winterbottom.
“I am honoured and thrilled to become a Patron of BIFA. Especially, as last year’s awards made clear, it’s such a lively and exciting time for British independent filmmaking.” Michael Sheen
"Independent film is the beginning, the middle and the end in British film. Our industry depends on its success and every film-maker loves it, for it is where we find freedom and real expression. BIFA encourages and helps develop all our great British talent." Helen Mirren
“Year after year British independent films prove that the British film industry is not only alive and well but strikingly vigorous and flourishing. I am very proud to be asked to be a patron and representative of this world-class movement.” David Thewlis
“We feel truly honoured to be joined by such wonderful new patrons”, say the team at BIFA, “Our patrons’ willingness to put their names to BIFA and actively show their support of British film has been an invaluable asset to both us and the film community we celebrate each year.”
The twelfth annual British Independent Film Awards will be held in Central London on Sunday 6 December 2009. The ceremony will celebrate the best of this year’s British and Independent film talent. Nominations and jury will be announced at the end of October.
For a film to be considered in any of BIFAs main categories, it must qualify as British, have a budget of no more than £10M (except where there is no substantial financial major studio support) and have a UK theatrical release or screening at a British based film festival between December 1, 2008 and November 30, 2009.
Last year BIFA celebrated a stellar year for independent British film with winners including Slumdog Millionaire, winner of Best British Film, Best Director for Danny Boyle and Most Promising Newcomer for Dev Patel; Hunger which won The Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director) for Steve McQueen and Best Actor for Michael Fassbender; Happy Go Lucky, winner of the Best Supporting Actress Award for Alexis Zegermann and the Best Supporting Actor Award for Eddie Marsan. David Thewlis received The Richard Harris Award and Michael Sheen the Variety Award.
BIFA would like to thank its Sponsors including: UK Film Council, BBC Films. Chapter Media, The Creative Partnership, Film London, M.A.C, Raindance, Soho House and Variety.