The gritty drama which received a UK Premiere at the 2009 Festival, won British Film of the Year, with Andrea Arnold being awarded British Director of the Year and British Actor in a Supporting Role going to Michael Fassbender.

Newcomer Katie Jarvis received the NSPCC Award for Young British Performer of the Year for her role as Mia, a confused 15-year-old living in a cramped council flat, whose life is disrupted when her mother takes a boyfriend.

Meanwhile Duncan Jones won the Breakthrough British Film-maker award for science fiction Moon.