Sunday proved to be a busy day for awards groups as US critics handed out recognition to several films. However it turned out us Brits were in the giving mood as well….

Last night’s Moet British Independent Film Awards produced an unexpected surprise as the crime-thriller Metro Manilla won the Best Film and Production Achievement prizes with filmmaker Sean Ellis also being named Best Director.

The film, which tells the story of a family who battle to survive in the Philipines, is the UK entry for Best Foreign Language film at next year’s Oscars.

It’s win came at the expense of Stephen Frears’ real-life dramedy Philomena, which missed out on both Best Film and Best Actress for Dame Judi Dench.

Oscar contender Dench lost her category to Lindsay Duncan who won for her performance in the Paris-based rom-com Le Week-End.

James McAvoy clinched Best actor for his role as a bigoted cop in the gritty thiller Filth while the Supporting Actor categories were won by Imogen Poots (The Look of Love) and Australian Ben Mendelsohn (Starred Up) respectively.

Scottish filmmaker Paul Wright was given the award for best debut director for his film For Those In Peril.

The screenplay award went to Steven Knight for Locke, while Edinburgh actress Chloe Pirrie won most promising newcomer for Shell.

Clio Barnard’s heavily-nominated The Selfish Giant took just one award for technical achievement.

A film about jailed Russian protest group Pussy Riot won in the documentary category, while Cannes-winner Blue is the Warmest Colour won Best International Film.

The Raindance award went to sci-fi thriller The Machine, while Ken Loach’s production company Sixteen Films and Friends were given a special jury prize.

Finally, veteran Julie Walters picked up an Outstanding Contribution Award while director Paul Greengrass was presented with the Variety Award.

The winners were announced at a ceremony, held at Old Billingsgate, hosted by comedian James Nesbitt.

The list of victors are below:

Best British Independent Film
Metro Manila

Best Director
Sean Ellis – Metro Manila

The Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director)
Paul Wright – For Those in Peril

Best Screenplay
Steven Knight – Locke

Best Actress
Lindsay Duncan – Le Week-end

Best Actor
James McAvoy – Filth

Best Supporting Actress
Imogen Poots – The Look of Love

Best Supporting Actor
Ben Mendelsohn – Starred Up

Most Promising Newcomer
Chloe Pirrie – Shell

Best Achievement in Production
Metro Manila

Best Technical Achievement
Amy Hubbard – Casting – The Selfish Giant

Best Documentary
Pussy Riot – A Punk Prayer

Best International Independent Film
Blue is the Warmest Colour

The Raindance Award
The Machine