Bifa nominee Benedict Cumberbatch arrived at the ceremony with his fiancee Sophie Hunter. He is nominated for best actor for his role as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game and is also receiving a special award for helping "focus the international spotlight on the UK".

Image source, EPA

Tim Masters
Entertainment correspondent, BBC News

Speaking to awards host Simon Bird, he told me: "It's the first time I've done anything like this. It'll be mischievous, chaotic, warm-hearted and, most of all, I want everyone to have a good time.

The actor added that his film highlights were Pride, Next Goal Wins ("about the worst football team in the world") and Boyhood, which is up for best international film.

Double Bifa winner Olivia Coleman was resplendent in a gold feather headdress. The actress returns to our screens in ITV's Broadchurch early next year.

Image source, PA

Bifa tweets, external:

So many glasses, so little time. We are almost ready for tonight!

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Veteran Chinese star Cheng Pei Pei is nominated for best actress for her role in Lilting.

Image source, Getty Images

Asa Butterfield is among the first to arrive. He is nominated for best actor for his role in maths comedy X+Y.

BBC Ents News Team tweets, external:

At the British Independent Film Awards where host Simon "Inbetweeners" Bird promises a "mischievous" evening.

We'll also be tweeting ahead of and during the ceremony. Tweet us @BBCNewsEnts, external to let us know what you think of the winners.

Our correspondent Tim Masters has a prime position on the red carpet and sent us this picture of his spot in the press pen. Hopefully they will remove the plastic covering before the stars walk on it!

Stars are beginning to arrive for this year's British Independent Film Awards in London.

We'll be bringing you all the action from the red carpet, as well as all the winners as they are announced.

You can also watch the ceremony via Bifa's website, external.