Cinema’s champagne of choice Moët & Chandon are the new title sponsor for the British Independent Film Awards, it was announced today by Directors Johanna von Fischer and Tessa Collinson. The world renowned champagne will be the first ever title sponsor for the Awards.

The Moët British Independent Film Awards will be presented by James Nesbitt who will be hosting the Awards for the sixth time. This year’s star-studded ceremony will be held at the spectacular Old Billingsgate on Sunday 5th December.

Johanna von Fisher and Tessa Collinson said: “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with such a fantastic sponsor for this year’s event. This commitment from our friends at Moët & Chandon will undoubtedly add to the glamour and excitement of the Awards. We very much look forward to welcoming our nominees and guests in December and celebrating their success with a glass or two of Moët & Chandon”.

At the Golden Globes, where Moët & Chandon were the official champagne, they unveiled a new philanthropic effort; “Toast for a Cause”. Winners and nominees at this year’s Moët British Independent Film Awards will be invited to raise funds for their favourite charities by toasting with a mini bottle of Moët & Chandon.

“Moët & Chandon is synonymous with the glamour of cinema and fabulous celebration and has a long-standing tradition of being present at prestigious film events across the globe,” says Emelie de Vitis, Marketing Manager at Moët & Chandon UK. “Through the Moët British Independent Film Awards we are delighted to toast the achievements of the British Film Industry and support its most talented members’’.

Now in its 13th year, the Awards were created by Raindance in 1998 and set out to celebrate merit and achievement in independently funded British filmmaking, to honour new talent, and to promote British films and filmmaking to a wider public.

The nominations will be announced on Monday 1st November. Previous winners of the coveted Best British Independent Film award include Control, Slumdog Millionaire, The Constant Gardener and This is England. 2009’s winner was Moon, directed by newcomer Duncan Jones.

Recognised for its quality and prestige, Moët & Chandon is the champagne of choice for celebration at international film festivals. The venerable house has captured the attention of Hollywood’s brightest stars since the birth of the film industry. Generations of legendary actors, actresses, producers and directors have celebrated their achievements with Moët & Chandon at the most significant and exclusive cinema events, including the Oscars & Golden Globes celebrations.