Sam Riley was working in a warehouse in Leeds folding shirts when he was cast to star in a film about the life, loves and brief musical reign of Joy Division’s ill-fated frontman, Ian Curtis.

Last night Riley was named the Most Promising Newcomer at the British Independent Film Awards (Bifas), just as he is being tipped for Oscars glory by the industry magazine Variety, whose predictions are regarded as a barometer of the film business.

In his first role as a leading man, Riley found widespread acclaim this year at the Cannes Film Festival, with the premiere of Control, in which he portrayed Curtis, the postpunk performer who committed suicide 27 years ago, aged 23.

Last night Riley’s was one of five awards presented to Control. Anton Corbijn won Best Director, Best Debut Director and Best Independent Film. The Supporting Actor award went to Toby Kebbell.

Corbijn said that Riley had brought “an innocence and freshness that I was hoping for but never thought I would find”, and Variety said that the actor was “as mesmerising onstage as he is while engaged in rocking his daughter to sleep, working for social services and other such punk-rocker incongruities”.

The tenth Bifas took place last night at the Roundhouse in northwest London. Daniel Craig, who was propelled to international stardom as James Bond in Casino Royale, was honoured for his contribution to the British film industry. The Best Actress award went to Dame Judi Dench for Notes on a Scandal and the Best Actor to Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises.

John Woodward, chief executive officer of the UK Film Council, the main funding partner of the Bifas, said: “This year’s nominations and winners highlight the outstanding talent in the UK with beautiful and thought-provoking films made by established and emerging filmmakers.”

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