We had the pleasure of attending the 70th Annual British Film Designers Guild awards last Saturday in the prestigious surroundings of Pinewood Studios. And what a night it was. The venue looked suitably glittering and in keeping with the ‘Putting on the glitz’ theme. The red carpet had been rolled out for the equally glitzy guests who were almost unrecognisable in their black tie suits and gowns (a world away from our on set and office attire).

The evening started with a champagne reception which was a great opportunity to mingle and chat before sitting down to a delicious three course meal.

Our very own Lawrence and Sophie Newman chat at the champagne reception

A chance to catch up during the champagne reception

The ballroom at Pinewood Studios ready for The British Film Designers Guild Awards

Then came the awards ceremony and the highlight of the evening. The very glamorous Liz Griffiths and dapper Peter Walpole were our compares for the evening and certainly didn’t disappoint. They made a hilarious comedy duo and made the ceremony a fun and personal experience.

Our fabulous awards hosts Liz Griffiths and Peter Walpole

The audience at the BFDG Awards Gala

Bill Nighy and Jeremy Irons present awards

Cameos from Jeremy Irons and Bill Nighy added even more star power to the night and the veteran Production Designer Peter Lamont presented the award for Best Production Design for an International Studio Feature Film to the team behind Rogue One: A Star Wars Story who were in high spirits when they took to the stage.

Peter Lamont presents the BFDG award for International Studio Feature Film

Lee Sandales and Neil Lamont collect their award

Among the other winners on the night were Michael Howells and his team for Victoria which took home Best Production Design in a British TV Drama/Mini Series.

Michael Howells and the team behind Victoria take home the award for Best Production Design in a British TV Drama

High Rise got the award for Best Production Design for an Independent Feature Film, which Jeremy Irons just so happened to star in!

Jeremy Irons and a member of the Art Department from Highrise

Best Production Design for an International TV Drama/Mini Series went to Game of Thrones with Supervising Art Director, Paul Ghirardani, collecting the award and saying a few words on behalf of the rest of the Art Department.

Game of Thrones’s Supervising Art Director Paul Ghirardani

Alina Papp was given the Spotlighting New Talent award, definitely one to watch in the future.

Spotlighting New Talent winner Alina Papp with Bill Nighy and Jeremy Irons

Bill Nighy presented the final award of the evening to the lovely Gemma Jackson for Lifetime Achievement. He gave a wonderfully funny introduction about how, although honoured, he has declined such an award several times himself as it’s more appropriate towards the end of one’s career, a sentiment that Gemma echoed in her acceptance speech, and as we all know, Gemma is at the peak of her career and busier than ever with Fortitude and King Arthur only recently completed and plenty more to come. Perhaps the ‘Lifetime Achievement So Far’ award would be more fitting?

Gemma Jackson heads to the stage to collect her Lifetime Achievement Award

The night was rounded off with drinking, dancing and a chance to bid on the unique lots in the Silent Auction which included some stunning Mexican day of the dead masks used in Spectre. All of the proceeds went to The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund.

Spectre masks up for grabs in the silent auction

It was a wonderful night and certainly lots of fun was had by all. The BFDG production team must have worked tirelessly to put together an event on this scale that seemed to run seamlessly from start to finish so a huge thank you to them all for what was a fabulous evening.
The Guild champions British Art Department talent and offers support and opportunities to members new and old. If you want more information on the Guild or are interested in becoming a member then take a look at their website http://www.filmdesigners.co.uk/ for details.
For a more complete list of the award winners and the wider crew on each production, see the list on the BFDG website. http://www.filmdesigners.co.uk/press-0

The lovely images that accompany this article are all courtesy of http://www.myheartskipped.co.uk/