HELEN MIRREN - MIRREN HONOURED AT BRITISH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS

DAME HELEN MIRREN was honoured for her achievements at the British Independent Film Awards last night (29NOV06) - despite her film THE QUEEN failing to grab the main awards. The monarchy movie, directed by STEPHEN FREARS, missed out in five categories, only picking up the prize for Best Screenplay, but its star Mirren still walked home with the UK Film Achievement Award. Director KEN LOACH won the Special Jury Prize while veteran actor JIM BROADBENT was hailed for Outstanding Contribution To British Film. THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND filmmaker KEVIN MACDONALD took home the prize for Best Director while the historical drama also snatched the Technical Achievement Award. The full list of winners is as follows: Best British Independent Film: THIS IS ENGLAND Best Director: KEVIN MACDONALD - THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND Best Actor: TONY CURRAN - RED ROAD Best Actress: KATIE DICKIE - RED ROAD Best Supporting Actor: LESLIE PHILLIPS - VENUS Most Promising Newcomer: THOMAS TURGOOSE - THIS IS ENGLAND Best Screenplay: PETER MORGAN - THE QUEEN Best Foreign Film: HIDDEN Best British Documentary: THE ROAD TO GUANTANAMO Best Technical Achievement: ANTHONY DOD, Mantle Cinematography - THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND Best Achievement in Production: LONDON TO BRIGHTON Best British Short: CUBS The Raindance Award: THE BALLAD OF AJ WEBERMAN Best 15 Second Short: WHAT'S THE POINT? The Variety UK Film Achievement Award: DAME HELEN MIRREN The Richard Harris Award - Outstanding Contribution to British Film by an Actor: JIM BROADBENT The Special Jury Award: KEN LOACH.