'The King's Speech' crowned with first awards

(All Rights Reserved)

The 13th British Independent Film Awards selected The King's Speech as the best British independent film. A favorite to win the upcoming Oscars, the historical drama also collected four other honors at the ceremony on December 5 in London.

In addition, the film's star Colin Firth won best actor, Geoffrey Rush took best supporting actor and Helena Bonham Carter received best supporting actress. David Seidler won for best screenplay.

Firth portrays England's King George VI, whose wife hires a maverick speech therapist, played by Rush, to overcome the king's stutter. It beat out Monsters, Never Let Me Go, Four Lions and Kick-Ass.

Monsters, a low-budget sci-fi horror movie, nabbed three awards including best director for Gareth Edwards. Carey Mulligan, who won best actress last year for An Education, took the prize again for Never Let Me Go.

Actress Helena Bonham-Carter ( Howards End, Sweeney Todd, Harry Potter films and Alice In Wonderland) was honored with the Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution to British film.

Actor Liam Neeson ( Rob Roy, Michael Collins, Schindler's List and Clash of the Titans) received the Variety Award, which recognizes an actor, director, writer or producer who increases the focus of the international spotlight on the UK.

The King's Speech trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aS4hoOSlzo

http://www.bifa.org.uk/

RC