Pride scoops ‘Best Film’ at Independent Film Awards
Pride has been named the best film of 2014, at the British Independent Film Awards.
The film – which stars Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West and Andrew Scott – portrays the unlikely alliance between the gay rights movement and striking miners, during the 1984 miners’ strike.
It picked up three awards in total – with Sherlock star Scott and Harry Potter actress Staunton picking up best supporting actor and actress respectively.
The Imitation Game – about gay codebreaker Alan Turing – was snubbed at the ceremony, failing to pick up a single award despite four nominations. Benedict Cumberbatch had been tipped to pick up Best Actor for the flick, but the prize went to Brendan Gleeson for Calvary.
Pride director Matthew Warchus said: “We’re getting reports from up and down the country of audiences standing up and applauding. That doesn’t really happen in British cinemas.
“It’s just extraordinary. It’s a real tribute to the source material.”
Writer Stephen Beresford joked: “When I was first told the story I was blown away by it – people ask ‘is that really true?’
“It took 20 years to convince anyone that a film about vegan lesbian activists was a sure-fire hit.”
Pride is due to be released on DVD from December 23.
