Nominations And Jury Announced For British Independent Film Awards

The nominations and jury members for the annual British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) have been announced at the Haymarket Hotel in London.
In the 10th anniversary year of the BIFAs the nominations reflect the wealth of both new and established on and off screen talent and also demonstrating a strong multicultural presence.
Elliot Grove, founder of Raindance and the British Independent Film Awards said: "As BIFA reaches its tenth year it is my hope that British filmmakers, whose work these Awards were set up to honour, continue to entertain, astound, delight and inspire and take their rightful place at the forefront of international independent cinema."
Anton Corbijin’s 'Control' leads with 10 nominations, 'And When Did You Last See Your Father?' receives seven nominations, 'Hallam Foe follows' with six, followed by 'Eastern Promises' (five nominations), 'Notes on a Scandal' (four) and 'Garbage Warrior' (three). Other films to receive multiple nominations include 'Brick Lane', 'Black Gold', 'It’s A Free World', 'Sunshine', 'Exhibit A' and '28 Weeks Later'.
First time BIFA actor nominees include Anne Hathaway, Sam Riley, Kierston Wareing, Sophia Myles, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Cillian Murphy, Imogen Poots, Matthew Beard, Bradley Cole, Armin Muehler Stahl and 2004 jury member Cate Blanchett. This year sees repeat nominations for actors Jamie Bell, Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent, Samantha Morton and Toby Kebbell.
The BIFA pre-selection committee viewed more than 150 films, out of which they selected the nominations with a handful of titles dominating most categories.
BIFA Directors, Johanna von Fischer and Tessa Collinson said: "We are delighted to announce the BIFA nominees and jury for 2007 and proud that both represent a wide range of established filmmakers and actors.
"For the 10th year, the BIFA Nominations throw the spotlight on the UK’s wealth of new emerging talent. We are also thrilled to be honouring two very different and special British acting talents and careers with our special awards: The Richard Harris Award and The Variety UK Award. All these ingredients promise to make our 10th anniversary a celebration of British film and filmmakers to remember."
BIFA have also announced Ray Winstone as the recipient of The Richard Harris Award for Outstanding contribution by an Actor. Winstone, who is a three time BIFA nominee, won Best Actor for 'Nil by Mouth' at the very first Awards in 1998. Also this year, The Variety UK Award honours Daniel Craig for his contribution to bringing the international spotlight to the British film industry. Craig has also been nominated at BIFA three times and won Best Actor for his role in 'Some Voices'.
BIFA’s new jury is comprised of professionals and talents from across the British film industry including: actresses Hayley Atwell, Archie Panjabi and Kathy Burke, actors Tony Curran, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mathew Macfadyan, directors Annie Griffin, Menhaj Huda, Neil Marshall and Peter Webber, Musician Nitin Sawhney, LFF Artistic Director Sandra Hebron, producer Mark Herbert, cinematographer Brian Tufano and distributor Will Clarke.
The much anticipated 10th awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 28 November 2007 at the Roundhouse in London and will be hosted by James Nesbitt.
(DS)