James Bond star Daniel Craig has launched a staunch defence of the British film industry saying it needs no special pleading.

Speaking at the British Independent Film Awards last night, Craig, 39, said it was good to celebrate the British film industry. But he added: "It's not a charity case. It's doing quite well."

Whether making a Hollywood blockbuster or a low-budget British movie, he said what mattered was a good script, good actors and a good director.

The actor, whose latest film The Golden Compass from the Philip Pullman novels opens next week, was at the Roundhouse for the awards.

He said it was "wonderful" to receive the special prize from the industry magazine Variety for putting the international spotlight on British film.

Roger Michell, who directed Craig in the Ian McEwan adaptation Enduring Love, presented the award saying: "We have some of the greatest actors in the world in this country and we have a few film stars. Very occasionally there's a crossover between a great actor and a great film star."

Gallery: British Independent Film Awards

Craig acted in independent films including The Mother, The Jacket and Sylvia. "He's prepared to act without vanity, without self-consciousness and to really plumb the depths in extraordinary ways," Michell said.

Craig's Bond co-star Dame Judi Dench, 72, collected the best actress award for Notes On A Scandal.

The big winner was Control, the story of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis. It took five awards including best debut director for Anton Corbijn, who had worked with Curtis and the band as a photographer, and most promising newcomer for its star, Sam Riley, 27.

A very popular winner was Ray Winstone who took the Richard Harris award for an outstanding actor in British film. Winstone, 50, said: "I can't tell you how much it means to me. I watched him [Harris] in This Sporting Life and it changed my whole outlook."

He dedicated the award to his wife of 28 years, Elaine. "This is probably more yours than mine," he said.

THE WINNERS

Best British Independent Film: Control
Best actress: Judi Dench, Notes On A Scandal
Best actor: Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
Best supporting actor/actress: Toby Kebbell, Control
Most promising newcomer: Sam Riley, Control
Best director: Anton Corbijn, Control
Best screenplay: Patrick Marber, Notes On A Scandal
The Douglas Hickox Award (best debut director): Anton Corbijn, Control
Best documentary: Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten
Best achievement in production: Black Gold
Best British short: Dog Altogether
The Richard Harris Award: Ray Winstone
The Variety Award: Daniel Craig