Cumberbatch honoured in Krakow

Benedict Cumberbatch accepts the Against the Current Award at Krakow's Off Plus Camera Festival. Photo: PAP/Andrzej Grygiel

The British actor, best known for playing the title role in the BBC's international hit serial Sherlock, was given the Against the Current Award for his recent efforts to set up an independent production company.

“What I want to support is an independent spirit,” he told a packed auditorium at the city's Kijow Cinema.

“You have to take risks,” he said.

“I don't want the company to be a vehicle for vanity projects for me,” he stressed.

Cumberbatch and his colleagues at SunnyMarch Productions screened recent short movie Little Favour, a dark thriller in which he plays a war veteran called on to honour a promise to a former comrade-in-arms.

Writer Patrick Viktor Monroe is currently at work on developing the material into a full-length picture.

Cumberbatch revealed that shooting in Poland “would be the perfect endgame,” as seconded by fellow Little Favour actor Nick Moran (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels).

“The rest of the world needs to know how beautiful Krakow is,” Moran enthused.

Previous recipients of the Against the Current Award include Tim Roth, Jane Campion and David Thewlis.

The 7th Off Plus Camera Film Festival ends on Sunday evening. (nh)

Benedict Cumberbatch. Photo: PAP/Andrzej Grygiel