CHIWETEL EJIOFOR to receive THE RICHARD HARRIS AWARD at the 18th Annual Moët British Independent Film Awards

The Moët British Independent Film Awards announced today that Chiwetel Ejiofor will be honoured with The Richard Harris Award which will be presented to him at this year’s ceremony on Sunday 6 December at Old Billingsgate.

The Richard Harris Award was introduced in 2002 in honour of Richard Harris and recognises outstanding contribution to British film by an actor. Previous winners have been John Hurt, David Thewlis, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent, Daniel Day-Lewis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Julie Walters and Emma Thompson in 2014.

The award is bestowed upon Chiwetel Ejiofor in recognition of his exceptional service to the film industry, not just here in the UK but internationally as an ambassador for British film.

Jared Harris, son of Richard Harris, commented: “I am so happy this award is going to Chiwetel. Although the recipients of this award have all been embraced by the establishment, they all came from outside it, fought their way in on the strength of their talent, claimed their place and changed the status quo. A journey which describes Chiwetel's career perfectly. His talent is immense, it has brought him deserved worldwide recognition, and he is in his prime! I hope this award inspires British filmmakers to take advantage of him and build films around his talent.”

In 1996, Chiwetel caught the attention of Stephen Spielberg who cast him in Amistad opposite Morgan Freeman and Anthony Hopkins. In 2002, he was nominated for his first major awards: the BIFA for Most Promising Newcomer and for Best Actor, which he won, for his performance in Stephen Frears’ thriller Dirty Pretty Things. Chiwetel’s transatlantic career continued with roles in Richard Curtis’ Love Actually, Woody Allen’s Melinda and Melinda and Julian Jarrold’s Kinky Boots, which drew another BIFA nomination. Chiwetel has worked with a spectacular roll-call of directors in the UK and US including Ridley Scott (American Gangster, The Martian), David Mamet (Redbelt), Tom Hooper (Red Dust), Spike Lee (Inside Man), and Alfonso Cuarón in the Oscar nominated Children of Men. 2014 was a memorable year for Chiwetel and saw him star in Steve McQueen’s Oscar winning US-UK co-production Twelve Years a Slave. Chiwetel’s performance as Solomon Northup gained him Oscar, Golden Globe and SAG nominations and won him a Best Actor BAFTA. Later in the year Chiwetel also starred in Half of a Yellow Sun based on the highly acclaimed novel of the same title, the film also starred Thandie Newton and Joseph Mawle. This year Chiwetel was elevated from OBE to CBE for his services to drama and has seen him feature in a raft of acclaimed films and stage performances, including Everyman, Rufus Norris’ inaugural play as Artistic Director of The National Theatre. As well as that astonishing stage performance, 2015 has seen Chiwetel appear in blockbuster The Martian and the soon-to-be-released thriller Secret in Their Eyes with Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman as well as John Hillcoat’s heist crime thriller Triple Nine with Kate Winslet, Casey Affleck and Aaron Paul. He is currently shooting Marvel’s Doctor Strange with Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton.

This year’s nominations were announced on 3 November at The London EDITION. In total, 28 different British feature films are nominated with The Lobster leading the nominations with seven; 45 Years and Macbeth have six nominations each. Amy, Brooklyn and Ex Machina have five, and High-Rise and Suffragette each receive four nominations. For the full list is here.

The winners will be announced at The Moët British Independent Film Awards on Sunday 6 December at Old Billingsgate and the event will be live streamed on BIFA.

BIFA also recently announced a landmark series of public screenings of BIFA-nominated and winning films, supported by the BFI, which hit cinemas nationwide from today.

About MBIFA
The Moët British Independent Film Awards highlight and reward the best, most innovative and creative independent filmmaking and filmmakers in the UK. We identify and encourage emerging talent, support and celebrate the independent film community and promote British film and talent to the public.

Now in its 18th year, the Awards were founded by Elliot Grove and Suzanne Ballantyne in 1998, who also founded the Raindance Film Festival in 1993. Previous winners of the prestigious Best British Independent Film Award include Pride, Metro Manila, Tyrannosaur, The King’s Speech, Moon, Control, Slumdog Millionaire, The Constant Gardener and This Is England.

Proud patrons of the British Independent Film Awards include Mike Figgis, Tom Hollander, Adrian Lester, Ken Loach, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Samantha Morton, James Nesbitt, Michael Sheen, Trudie Styler, Tilda Swinton, Meera Syal, David Thewlis, Ray Winstone and Michael Winterbottom.

About Moët & Chandon
Moët & Chandon, the champagne of success and glamour since 1743. Renowned for its legendary style, achievements and pioneering spirit, Moët & Chandon is the Maison that introduced champagne to the world. Synonymous with the most venerable traditions and the most modern celebrations, Moët & Chandon has celebrated life’s memorable and triumphant moments with panache for more than 270 years. For Moët & Chandon, success is a matter of style.

The Champagne of Cinema
For nearly a century, Moët & Chandon has celebrated the glamour and the red carpet moments of international cinema. Effervescent and effortlessly chic, Moët & Chandon and the movies are like a Hollywood glamorous couple. The Maison is a strong and long-time supporter of film awards and ceremonies, such as the Golden Globe Awards and the International Film Festivals in Venice and Locarno. Moët & Chandon, an elegant toast to the art of cinema.

Award partners
Moët & Chandon, 3 Mills Studios, BBC Films, The London EDITION, MAC, Movado, Swarovski, Variety

Industry partners
All City, Intermission, RSM, Soho House, Wiggin

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