Olivia Colman was in fighting spirit last night, telling anyone who thought her film Tyrannosaur was bleak and downbeat "should go and watch the f***ing film".
The British actress was in giddy form, after winning the prize for Best Actress in a film about an unlikely love story within the horror of marital abuse.
She added, "I just want people to see that it is actually redemptive and beautiful. Tell all your friends to go and see it."
Colman, who in her glamorous frock was a million miles away from the demoralised character Hannah she plays, thanked her writer and director Paddy Considine for "the role of a lifetime. You don't get scripts like that every day".
It was Tyrannosaur's night - also winning the award for Best Film, and Considine collecting the gong for Best Debut Director (the Douglas Hickox Award).
Considine joked it was just as well he was a director, as there weren't any other debut awards available - "I might go into make-up next, try my hand at that."
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He said he would have been upset not to see Colman win the prize - "I wrote it for her. It was a privilege to watch her come to life in the role".
It was a great night for the Irish, with Michael Smiley recognised as Best Supporting Actor in Kill List, and Michael Fassbender triumphing as Best Actor for his role in Shame.
The cream of British screen were all there last night - check out our Slideshow of the great and good at the Moet British Independent Film Awards...