Duncan Jones has received, perhaps the highest accolade in the British film industry. The coveted Kermode award for Best Director, for MOON.

Although extremely busy on the first week of filming his second feature ‘Source Code‘ in Montreal, Canada, Jones reacted almost immediately to the news of this fantastic achievement on his Twitter account:

Thats a very special one! And the awards a looker… A model of Ed Sullivan!

For those of you who are not aware of Mark Kermode, what better introduction than that what they put on his BBC Blog HERE:

Outspoken, opinionated and never lost for words, Mark Kermode is the UK’s leading film critic.

He is resident film critic on Radio Five Live’s Mayo Show and on the News Channel, is a presenter on The Culture Show and often appears on BBC Newsnight Review.

Kermode has been a big supporter of MOON, interviewing Duncan on BBC Radio 5Live at the Edinburgh Film Festival back in June 2009 prior to the films UK July launch.

Wittertainment Live image by Martin Burns from Flickr

Kermode’s admiration for Jones’ work recently caused him to play a version of ‘Thus Spake Zarathusa‘ on a Rolf Harris Stylophone in homage to MOON.

So, once again, we say congratulations Duncan & all involved in making MOON

MOON Director Duncan Jones picked up the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut By A British Director at the Orange British Academy Film Awards this evening at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in London, England.

A very emotional Jones accepted the award from British actor Colin Firth in the evenings opening Award. Close to tears, Duncan revealed that he had not realised how important the award was to him until it actually happened, thanking his producers on MOON (Trudie Styler, Stuart Fenegan & Trevor Beattie) and making special mention of MOON star (The Amazing) Sam Rockwell, who has become a firm friend after Jones wrote the role of Sam Bell specifically for him after conversations about what classic Sci-Fi films meant to them when Jones originally approached Rockwell with a different project entirely.

Nearly overwhelmed by the occasion, Jones revealed how he felt he has finally found his calling in life in making movies, and we here on Man Made Movies are certainly glad he has.

Duncan’s acceptance speech showed the honesty, humility and good grace that is the mark of the man.

We all look forward to many more such occasions, but for now, enjoy a well earned hangover tomorrow Duncan, before heading back to Canada to begin filming ‘Source Code’ with Jake Gyllenhaal.

Post award interview with Edith Bowman, Duncan Jones & Colin Firth >>HERE<< on the BAFTA Youtube Channel.

Duncan Jones accepts his 1st BAFTA AWARD

Edith Bowman Interviews Duncan Jones with Colin Firth

Fingers crossed we will be celebrating victory for MOON in the Orange British Academy Film Awards tomorrow night, Sunday 21st February 2010, where Director Duncan Jones & MOON are up for:

• OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
• OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER –DUNCAN JONES – Director

The awards will take place at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden.

Watch The Awards

The Awards will be broadcast in the UK at the following times on Sunday 21 february:

• BBC Three at 7.30pm (GMT) for Red Carpet Highlights
• BBC ONE from 9pm (GMT) for the Awards Ceremony itself

BBC America will also broadcast the Awards ceremony in the US.

And if you are on Twitter, follow OrangeFilm , Bafta and Peter Serafinowicz from 20:00 GMT for Mr. Serafinowicz’s online commentary, or as Peter says:

So tomorrow night am doing a live tweet BAFTA commentary and will chat w you all. Stay tuned! #orangebafta

MOON Director Duncan Jones has flown over from Montreal where he is currently getting ready to start shooting his next feature ‘Source Code’, and seems to be suited and booted ready for the occasion from his Twitter stream this afternoon:

Been to Armani to get a suit for BAFTAS. Lovely fellah sorting it there said he’s never dealt with anyone quite so unsuitable! The cheek!

So, Best of British luck to MOON & Duncan Jones for the Orange British Film Academy Awards!!!!

The London Critics Circle Film Awards took place tonight at the Landmark Hotel, Marylebone, and audible groans from MOON Director Duncan Jones’ mantlepiece as another award heads his way, this time in the shape of:

Breakthrough British Film-Maker!!

Many congratulations Duncan! And best of British for this coming Sundays BAFTA Awards

MOON has received two more awards! This time at the Festival de Gérardmer – Fantastic’Arts, Gérardmer, France:

• PRIX DU JURY – JURY PRIZE
• PRIX DE LA CRITIQUE – CRITIC’S PRIZE

The festival has taken place since 1994 and focuses on the fantastic film genre. It also features competitions for video games and fantastic literature. The festival is successor to the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival. (src IMDB)

Thanks to @cloneweb for the pointer

WELL DONE MOON!!

More MOON team congratulations in order also, as Director Duncan Jones becomes the winner of the public vote for Best New Director at todays Richard Attenborough Awards in London. Confirmed on Screen Daily.

Nice double whammy for MOON then today, and the little British Sci-Fi film continues to defy any initial expectations of moderate success on a small budget, to carry on picking up awards and opeing theatrically around the world (see previous article for Japan release news)

Article over on the BBC has just announced Sam Rockwell has been named Best Actor in the 2010 Richard Attenborough Film Awards, for his portrayal of Sam Bell in MOON.

Speaking of working with MOON Director Duncan Jones, the BBC quotes Sam as saying:

“a highlight of my career in every way”

Massive congratulations to Sam, and all involved with MOON, here’s hoping that this is the start of a big MOON roll, that will see you sitting in the Kodak Theatre soon

MOON has received two nominations in the 2010 BAFTA Film Awards announced this morning:

• OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM
• OUTSTANDING DEBUT BY A BRITISH WRITER, DIRECTOR OR PRODUCER – DUNCAN JONES – Director

Full list of nominations available on the BAFTA site >>HERE<<

Congratulations for the nominations, and good luck to all involved in MOON at the ceremony itself, on Sunday 21st February.

Academy voters, if you were not already aware, MOON is screening at Laemmle’s Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, 90211. Further details >>HERE<< you can even take a friend

Poster and details courtesy of @sparrowhall from original blog post >>HERE<<

We have been campaigning long and hard to get the attention we feel is deserved for Sam Rockwell’s performance as Sam Bell in Duncan Jones’ debut feature MOON.

I am well aware of the hard work that went into bringing MOON to the screen by the whole cast, crew and production team at Liberty Films, and am still amazed that they all managed to produce such a stunning movie, with very limited time and budget.

That said, even I was moved by this heartfelt appeal from personality Brick Hardmeat on behalf of the Sam Rockwell Oscar Campaign, I was actually moved (from the sofa, to the kitchen actually, needed some tea, dry throat) and at one point I think my eye leaked, it would be unfair of me to prattle on, so please watch, listen, take notes, and act upon the:

Brick Hardmeat Sam Rockwell Oscar Appeal

This appeal was lovingly created by Chris Trevarthen and features the sad faces of MOON lovers all over the world, who face the thought upon waking every day, that Sam Rockwell may not get a nomination at this years Academy Awards. We get through the pain, one day at a time, please help us, make tomorrow a better day, for MOON lovers everywhere.

Many thanks to you all, for your support, your best wishes, your encouragement, and your car, I just borrowed it while you were sat reading this, will return it later with a full tank of Helium 3.

For those of you who are thinking “Did I leave the gas on when I left home this morning”?, pull yourself together, you should be thinking “Is that MOON DVD & Blu-Ray out to buy in the United States of America-ca-ca yet”? and that I can answer in upper case YES! MOON IS NOW AVAILABLE TO BUY TODAY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-CA-CA, go grab a copy, pop round to your local Academy voter, and watch it together, as there is the slight chance, that they did not receive one themselves.

Academy Awards voting ballots deadline approaches (Jan 23rd), let’s do all we can to get the word out on #SamRockwellOscar, and as Sam would say (if he were me paraphrasing himself) “Just under two weeks to go buddies! Rock ‘n’ Roll, God bless America-ca-ca”