NAOMIE HARRIS will Receive 2016 British Independent Film Awards’ VARIETY AWARD at December Ceremony

Honour celebrates a British star who is making a significant impact globally

The British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) announced today that Naomie Harris will receive this year’s Variety Award at the ceremony on Sunday 4 December.

The Variety Award recognises a director, actor, writer or producer who has made a global impact and helped to focus the international spotlight on the UK. Previous recipients of the award include Benedict Cumberbatch, Jude Law, Kenneth Branagh, Keira Knightley, Liam Neeson, Sir Michael Caine, Daniel Craig, Dame Helen Mirren and, last year, Kate Winslet.

Naomie Harris said “I am touched and honoured to be included alongside such an inspiring and talented group of filmmakers. Working in film has given me the chance to tell stories from around the world – and I’m incredibly proud to represent British filmmaking when doing so. I’m excited to be home to be part of this year’s BIFAs.”

Most familiar to audiences around the world as Eve Moneypenny in Spectre and Skyfall and Tia Dalma in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, Naomie Harris is a ‘phenomenally talented’ actress, in the words of Danny Boyle, whom she has worked with on screen in 28 Days Later and on stage in his highly acclaimed Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch. From blockbusters (Miami Vice) to British indies (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Our Kind of Traitor, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) to award-winning TV work (White Teeth, Small Island), Naomie is a versatile, intelligent actress who is making a huge impact internationally. This year, she will be seen in the highly anticipated Moonlight in a role for which she is already being touted for BAFTA and Oscar nominations and also Collateral Beauty opposite Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley and Helen Mirren.

This year’s BIFA nominations will be announced on Tuesday 1 November and the ceremony will take place on Sunday 4 December.

About BIFA
The British Independent Film Awards highlight and celebrate the best independent British film and filmmakers and the best future prospects. We shine a light on and provide access to the best British independent film audiences have and haven’t heard of.

Nominees and winners are selected by the industry – every eligible film is watched and discussed, making BIFA the only truly credible source for the best in British independent film.

Previous winners of the prestigious Best British Independent Film Award include Ex Machina, Pride, Tyrannosaur, The King’s Speech, Moon, Control, Slumdog Millionaire and This Is England.

Proud patrons of the British Independent Film Awards are 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.