For weeks, Oscar pundits have been wondering if this is the year Academy voters will cause a split between the Best Picture and Best Director awards — and most scenarios in which that split takes place involve "The King's Speech" winning the Best Picture award, but David Fincher or Christopher Nolan or someone else taking the director prize over "Speech" director Tom Hooper.
That's exactly what happened on Sunday at the British Independent Film Awards, where "The King's Speech" won five awards, including Best British Independent Film and Best Actor, losing only in the Best Director race, which went to Gareth Edwards for "Monsters."
The film's near-sweep also included awards for screenplay, supporting actor Geoffrey Rush and supporting actress, Helena Bonham Carter.
Carey Mulligan won the Best Actress award for "Never Let Me Go."
The ceremony took place at the Old Billingsgate in London.
The complete list of winners follows:
BEST BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM The King’s Speech
BEST DIRECTOR Gareth Edwards – Monsters
THE DOUGLAS HICKOX AWARD [BEST DEBUT DIRECTOR] Clio Barnard – The Arbor
BEST SCREENPLAY David Seidler – The King’s Speech
BEST ACTRESS Carey Mulligan – Never Let Me Go
BEST ACTOR Colin Firth – The King’s Speech
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Helena Bonham Carter – The King’s Speech
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Geoffrey Rush – The King’s Speech
MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER Joanne Froggatt – In Our Name
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION Monsters
RAINDANCE AWARD Son of Babylon
BEST TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT Monsters – Visual Effects – Gareth Edwards
BEST DOCUMENTARY Enemies of the People
BEST BRITISH SHORT Baby
BEST FOREIGN FILM A Prophet
