The 8th British Independent Film Awards, given on 30 November 2005 at the Hammersmith Palais, London, honoured the best British independent films of 2005.

Awards

Best British Independent Film

• The Constant Gardener
• The Descent
• The Libertine
• Mrs Henderson Presents
• A Cock and Bull Story

Best Director

• Neil Marshall - The Descent
• Fernando Meirelles - The Constant Gardener
• Laurence Dunmore - The Libertine
• Stephen Frears - Mrs Henderson Presents
• Michael Winterbottom - A Cock and Bull Story

The Douglas Hickox Award

Given to a British director on their debut feature

• Annie Griffin - Festival
• Julian Jarrold - Kinky Boots
• Laurence Dunmore - The Libertine
• Gaby Dellal - On a Clear Day
• Richard E. Grant - Wah-Wah

Best Actor

• Ralph Fiennes - The Constant Gardener
• Matthew Macfadyen - In My Father's Den
• Chiwetel Ejiofor - Kinky Boots
• Johnny Depp - The Libertine
• Bob Hoskins - Mrs Henderson Presents

Best Actress

• Rachel Weisz - The Constant Gardener
• Natasha Richardson - Asylum
• Judi Dench - Mrs Henderson Presents
• Emily Watson - Wah-Wah
• Joan Allen - Yes

Best Supporting Actor/Actress

• Rosamund Pike - The Libertine
• Bill Nighy - The Constant Gardener
• Tom Hollander - The Libertine
• Kelly Reilly - Mrs Henderson Presents
• Rob Brydon - A Cock and Bull Story

Best Screenplay

• Frank Cottrell Boyce - Millions
• Jeffrey Caine - The Constant Gardener
• Tim Firth and Geoff Deane - Kinky Boots
• Martin Sherman - Mrs Henderson Presents
• Martin Hardy - A Cock and Bull Story

Most Promising Newcomer

• Emily Barclay - In My Father's Den
• Rupert Friend - The Libertine
• Samina Awan - Love + Hate
• Alex Etel - Millions
• Thelma Barlow - Mrs Henderson Presents

Best Achievement in Production

• Gypo
• The Business
• Guy X
• It's All Gone Pete Tong
• Song of Songs

Best Technical Achievement

• Jon Harris - The Descent (for editing)
• César Charlone - The Constant Gardener (for cinematography)
• Ben Van Os - The Libertine (for production design)
• Sandy Powell - Mrs Henderson Presents (for wardrobe)
• Peter Christelis - A Cock and Bull Story (for editing)

Best British Documentary

• The Liberace of Baghdad
• Andrew and Jeremy Get Married
• Black Sun
• McLibel
• Sisters in Law

Best British Short

• Six Shooter
• Can't Stop Breathing
• Dupe
• Pitch Perfect

Best Foreign Film

• Downfall - (Germany)
• Broken Flowers - (USA)
• Crash - (USA)
• Secuestro Express - (Venezuela)
• The Woodsman - (USA)

The Raindance Award

• Evil Aliens
• Billy Childish Is Dead
• Sam Jackson's Secret Video Diary

The Richard Harris Award

• Tilda Swinton

Special Jury Prize

• Sanford Lieberson (Goodtimes Enterprises)

Entertainment Personality Award

• Helen Mirren