The stars turned out for the annual British Independent Film Awards in London on Sunday December 8th. Previous winners have included Slumdog Millionaire and The King's Speech, the latter of which was picked up by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

SOUNDBITE Hollywood producer, Harvey Weinstein (English) saying:

"So many of my movies that I've either distributed or financed or co-produced come out of England. It's a vibrant, robust, great team of people making great movies."

However, not everyone was as positive about British independent cinema at the event. Step forward Tom Hardy.

SOUNDBITE Actor Tom Hardy (English) saying:

"I think we need to work harder, to be honest. A lot of countries are doing very well in independent film so it would be nice to see more financing and more independent film, to be honest. That's my personal take on it."

The Best Actress award went to Lindsay Duncan for her role in elderly relationship drama 'Le Week-end'.