The Awards which have been organized since 1973, are focused on British talent in films as well as being judged by a panel of film critics

Pat Shortt who also won an IFTA last year for his role as the petrol attendant in ‘Garage’ shares the award with Sheen’s portrayl as broadcaster David Frost in ‘Frost/Nixon’

Steve McQueen’s feature debut 'Hunger', based on the hunger striker Bobby Sands won the Best Film while Oscar nominee Martin McDonagh was awarded the Best Screenplay Award for ‘In Bruges’. Sally Hawkins won the Peter Sellers Award for Comedy for Mike Leigh's ‘Happy Go Lucky’ and Tilda Swinton picked up Best Actress for her performance in 'Julia'. The Best Director was awarded to Stephen Daldry for 'The Reader' and Most Promising Newcomer went to ‘Unrelated’ director Joanna Hogg.