American Honey wins big at British Independent Film Awards

Ken Leach's new movie I, Daniel Blake and black youth drama Moonlight were also winners at the awards night for independent films.

Actress Sasha Lane won best actress for American Honey

Road trip drama American Honey was the big winner at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs).

English director Andrea Arnold’s coming-of-age film received four of the top awards, including best British independent film, best director and best actress for Sasha Lane, on Sunday night.

The British-American feature also nabbed outstanding achievement in craft for the film’s cinematographer Robbie Ryan.

The 19th annual BIFA ceremony was hosted by comedian Jennifer Saunders in London and rewarded “the most innovative and creative independent filmmaking and filmmakers in the UK”.

American Honey tells the story of a teenage runaway

The second biggest winner on the night was Ken Loach’s welfare drama I, Daniel Blake, which won the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes.

Dave John picked up the best actor prize, while Hayley Squires won the most promising newcomer award

I, Daniel Blake is about an ill carpenter in need of welfare

US black youth drama Moonlight received the best international independent film award – the only prize handed to a non-UK film.

Barry Jenkins’ film has been a favourite in the run-up to the Oscars, dominating the two biggest independent award nominations in the US – the Spirit and Gotham awards.

It went on to win four Gothams last week, including best feature, which was won by the last two best film Oscar winners. The Spirit Awards are being held in February.

Moonlight is about a young black man growing up in rough Miami

The BIFAs was founded in 1998 and each years its voters – comprised of industry and media experts – view more than 250 entries in the eight main categories.

:: Here is the full list of this year’s BIFA winners:

Best British Independent Film
American Honey

Best director
Andrea Arnold – American Honey

Best actor
Dave Johns – I, Daniel Blake

Best actress
Sasha Lane – American Honey

Best screenplay
Babak Anvari – Under The Shadow

Best documentary
Notes On Blindness

Best supporting actress
Avin Manshadi, Under The Shadow

Best supporting actor
Brett Goldstein, Adult Life Skills

Discovery award
The Greasy Strangler

Best debut screenwriter
Rachel Tunnard – Adult Life Skills

Best international independent film
Moonlight

The Douglas Hickox award (debut director)
Babak Anvari – Under The Shadow

Outstanding achievement in craft
Robbie Ryan – Cinematography, American Honey

Breakthrough producer
Camille Gatin – The Girl With All The Gifts

Most promising newcomer
Hayley Squires – I, Daniel Blake

Best british short
Jacked