As the winners at the various awards ceremonies get easier to call each year, those outstanding people at the British Independent Film Awards got together for the 8th time to lead the fight for the Brit indie flick and they did it with diversity and style.

Receiving the big prizes on the night were Fernando Meirelles' political story of intrigue and love The Constant Gardener, which took home Best Actor (Ralph Fiennes), Best Actress (Rachel Weisz) and Best Film.

Not far behind was friend of Total Film, Neil Marshall, whose slim-budgeted caving-creepshow The Descent earned him a Best Director nod, along with a gong for Best Technical Achievement for editor Jon Harris.

Best Debut Director went to Scot helmer Annie Griffin for black comedy Festival, a sideways glance at the annual Edinburgh fringe. Best Screenplay went to Frank Cottrell Boyce for Millions, while Rosamund Pike took home the plaudit for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Elizabeth Malet in Laurence Dunmore's period drama The Libertine.

Pirates Of The Caribbean star Keira Knightley received the Variety UK Personality Award, while Narnia star Tilda Swinton walked away with the Richard Harris Award for Outstanding Achievement to the craft.

Here is a full list of winners from last night's bash:

Best British Independent Film

The Constant Gardener

Best Actor

Ralph Fiennes - The Constant Gardener

Best Actress

Rachel Weisz - The Constant Gardener

Best Supporting Actor/Actress

Rosamund Pike - The Libertine

Most Promising Newcomer

Emily Barclay - In My Father's Den

Best Director - Sponsored by The Creative Partnership

Neil Marshall - The Descent

Best Screenplay - Sponsored by BBC Films

Frank Cottrell Boyce - Millions

Douglas Hickox Award (Debut Director) - Sponsored by Cineworld

Annie Griffin - Festival

Best Technical Achievement

Jon Harris - The Descent

Best Achievement in Production - Sponsored by Recorded Picture Company

Gypo

Best Foreign Film

Downfall

Best Documentary

Liberace of Baghdad

The Raindance Award

Evil Aliens

The Variety UK Personality of the Year

Keira Knightley

The Special Jury Prize - sponsored by The UK Film Council

Sandy Lieberson

The Richard Harris Award For Outstanding Achievement - Sponsored by Buena Vista

Tilda Swinton

Best British Short Film

Six Shooter