Gary Oldman: Cuts will kill off low-budget British films

Gary Oldman has warned that the days of low-budget independent British films are over following the decision to axe the UK Film Council.

The actor said that its demise, along with swingeing cuts expected to be announced by the Arts Council, were "terrible" for the British film industry.

Speaking at the Jameson Empire Film Awards where he was given the Icon Award, Oldman, 53, said: "[The UK Film Council is] going to be axed, yet they want a film industry here? It's a terrible thing. I think independent cinema at a certain price tag feels like it's over.

"I feel saddened for the people coming up who want to make films. I think the days of independent movies that were like $4 million or $7 million, those days are gone. That's a bad thing. A terrible thing for the British film industry."

The ceremony, at Grosvenor House in Park Lane, named Colin Firth as best actor, Noomi Rapace as best actress and honoured Keira Knightley with the hero award. Firth, who after a long awards season joked that he "thought it was all over", used his acceptance speech to tip Nowhere Boy actor Aaron Johnson as a star of the future.

Jonathan Ross, who presented an award, took a swipe at other such ceremonies, claiming their judges voted for "miserable" films to make themselves look "smart and sophisticated".