And the big winners at the BAFTAs are ...

Sunday, 12 February 2012 18:05

Written by Barbara Vancheri

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merylbafta "The Artist" today won seven BAFTAs (Britain's version of the Oscars), including for best film, leading actor Jean Dujardin, and director and writer Michel Hazanavicius. Meryl Streep won favor with perhaps her toughest critics by being named best actress for her turn as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady."

Here is the press release about the awards show:

"The Artist" was named Best Film at tonight's Orange British Academy Film Awards hosted by Stephen Fry, held at London's Royal Opera House. The film also won six other awards: Director, Original Screenplay, Original Music, Cinematography, Costume Design as well as a performance award for Jean Dujardin who won the Leading Actor BAFTA.

Meryl Streep was awarded the BAFTA for Leading Actress for her performance as Margaret Thatcher in "The Iron Lady." The film was also honoured in the Make-Up & Hair category.

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Octavia Spencer won the Supporting Actress category for "The Help" and Christopher Plummer won Supporting Actor for his performance in "Beginners."

Outstanding British Film and Adapted Screenplay were awarded to "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and "Senna" won the Documentary and Editing BAFTAs.

"Hugo" won two BAFTAs in Production Design and Sound.

Pedro Almoldovar's "The Skin I Live" in won the Film Not in the English Language category and "Rango" won the BAFTA for Animated Film. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2" was awarded the BAFTA for Special Visual Effects.

Director Paddy Considine and producer Diarmid Scrimshaw received the award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for their first feature film "Tyrannosaur," based upon the short film "Dog Altogether" that won them the Short Film BAFTA in 2008.

The Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award was presented to Adam Deacon, recently seen in "Anuvahood" and "Kidulthood." This award, the only one voted for by the public, recognises an international actor or actress who has demonstrated exceptional talent and has begun to be recognised as a film star in the making.

The award is now in its seventh year and was created in honour of Mary Selway, the highly respected casting director who passed away in 2004.

"A Morning Stroll" won the Short Animation award and the Short Film award was presented to "Pitch Black Heist."

The award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema was received by John Hurt. The Fellowship, the highest accolade which the Academy can bestow, was presented to Martin Scorsese.

Not sure what's going on in photo below, Colin Firth and George Clooney, but they're obviously fooling around for the photographers and having a laugh as they do it.

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