Alex Garland’s science fiction thriller Ex Machina swept the British Independent Film Awards yesterday, picking up four awards including Best British Independent Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Outstanding Achievement in Craft for its Visual Effects. The sweep comes as a bit of a surprise as Yorgos Lanthimos’ science-fiction romantic comedy The Lobster went into the awards ceremony with seven nominations. Ultimately, it would win only one of its categories – Supporting Actress for Olivia Colman.
Ex Machina is Garland’s directorial debut following a career as a screenwriter.
Ironically, Brooklyn co-star Domhnall Gleeson lost in the Best Supporting Actor category to his father Brendan Gleeson, who won for Suffragette. But since the elder Gleeson could not attend the ceremony, the younger accepted the award on his behalf. Younger Gleeson’s Brooklyn co-star Saoirse Ronan won Best Actress for her work in that movie.
Tom hardy won the award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the real life 60s British twin brother gangsters The Krays in Legend.
The full list of winners is as follows –
BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM – Ex Machina
BEST DIRECTOR – Alex Garland, Ex Machina
BEST ACTRESS – Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn
BEST ACTOR – Tom Hardy, Legend
DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD FOR BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR – Stephen Fingleton, The Survivalist
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR – Paul Katis & Andrew De Lotbiniere, Kajaki: The True Story
BEST SCREENPLAY – Alex Garland, Ex Machina
BEST DOCUMENTARY – Dark Horse: The Incredible True Story Of Dream Alliance
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – Olivia Colman, The Lobster
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – Brendan Gleeson, Suffragette
THE DISCOVERY AWARD – Orion: The Man Who Would Be King, Jeanie Finlay
BEST INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM – Room
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CRAFT – Andrew Whitehurst, Visual Effects, Ex Machina
BEST BRITISH SHORT FILM – Edmond
MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER – Abigail Hardingham, Nina Forever
