King of the BAFTAs? ‘The King’s Speech’ clears up

The King’s Speech did extremely well at this year’s ‘Orange British Academy Film Awards,’ proving once again that there is still life in British film yet. Hosted by film fanatic Jonathan Ross it was clear that the past year has been great for British film, with other offerings such as Four Lions and 127 Hours making the ‘Outstanding British Film’ category very strong. The British also stood their ground in the ‘Orange Rising Star Award,’ with London born Tom Hardy coming out on top.

As well as upcoming stars, Hollywood superstars were also celebrated, as Christopher Lee received a fellowship from the BAFTA  association.

With a career spanning eight decades he has given us such memorable ‘baddies’ as the original Count Dracula, The Mummy and more recently Saruman in The Lord of The Rings Trilogy. (A role he hopes to reprise  in The Hobbit, due in 2012) The academy state that ‘..the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film.’

The award was presented to him by director Tim Burton, and Lee’s acceptance speech was humbling and honest, bringing most people in the BAFTA audience to tears, and a lot of those watching at home no doubt!

The Harry Potter films received an award for ‘Outstanding British Contribution To Cinema,’ presented by Stephen Fry, with Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, producer David Heyman and author J.K. Rowling picking up the gong. The films are an international box office phenomenon, (The first six films picked up $5.4 billion worldwide) and have earned them several Oscar nominations as well as a staggering 28 BAFTA nominations.

Rosamund Pike managed to thoroughly embarrass herself after almost revealing the winner’s name for ‘Original Screenplay,’ causing Jonathon Ross to run across the stage and close the golden envelope.

The BAFTAs are also a good indication of who will be celebrated at the Oscars, so here’s hoping for a triumphant British win all round this year.

The main BAFTA winners and nominees:

• BEST FILM, Presented by: Samuel L. Jackson

WINNER: The King’s Speech – Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin

Nominees: Black Swan, Inception, The Social Network, True Grit.

• OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM, Presented by: Emma Watson

WINNER: The King’s Speech – Tom Hooper, David Seidler, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin

Nominees: Four Lions, 127 Hours, Another Year, Made In Dagenham.

• DIRECTOR, Presented by: Tilda Swinton

WINNER: The Social Network – David Fincher

Nominees: 127 Hours – Danny Boyle, Black Swan – Darren Aronofsky, Inception – Christopher Nolan, The King’s Speech – Tom Hooper

• ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY, Presented by: Rosamund Pike, Doninic Cooper

WINNER: The King’s Speech – David Seidler

Nominees: Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The Kids Are All Right

• ADAPTED SCREENPLAY, Presented by: Julianne Moore

WINNER: The Social Network – Aaron Sorkin

Nominees: 127 HOURS, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Toy Story 3, True Grit

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  'Toy Story 3' scooped the 'Animated Film' award

  ANIMATED FILM, Presented by: Neve Campbell, Nicholas Hoult

WINNER: Toy Story 3 – Lee Unkrich

Nominees: Despicable Me, How To Train Your Dragon

• LEADING ACTOR, Presented by: Kate Winslet

WINNER: Colin Firth – The King’s Speech

Nominees: Jarvier Bardem – Biutiful, Jeff Bridges – True Grit, Jesse Eisenberg – The Social Network, James Franco – 127 Hours

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  Natalie Portman claimed the award for 'Leading Actress' for her role in 'Black Swan'

  LEADING ACTRESS, Presented by: Gerard Butler

WINNER: Natalie Portman – Black Swan

Nominees: Annette Bening – The Kids Are All Right, Julianne Moore – The Kids Are All Right, Noomi Rapace – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Hailee Steinfeld – True Grit

• SUPPORTING ACTOR, Presented by: Jessica Alba

WINNER: Geoffrey Rush – The King’s Speech

Nominees: Christian Bale – The Fighter, Andrew Garfield – The Social Network, Pete Postlethwaite – The Town, Mark Ruffalo – The Kids Are All Right

• SUPPORTING ACTRESS, Presented by: James McAvoy

WINNER: Helena Bonham Carter – The King’s Speech

Nominees: Amy Adams – The Fighter, Barbara Hershey – Black Swan, Lesley Manville – Another Year, Miranda Richardson – Made in Dagenham

• CINEMATOGRAPHY, Presented by: Mark Ruffalo

WINNER: True Grit – Roger Deakins

Nominees: 127 Hours, Black Swan, Inception, The King’s Speech

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  Tim Burton's adaptation of 'Alice In Wonderland' won the 'Costume Design' category

  COSTUME DESIGN, Presented by: Dev Patel, Talulah Riley

WINNER: Alice in Wonderland – Colleen Atwood

Nominees: Black Swan – Amy Westcott, The King’s Speech – Jenny Beavan, Made in Dagenham – Louise Stjernsward, True Grit – Mary Zophres

• SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS, Presented by: Jesse Eisenberg, Jennifer Lawrence

WINNERS: Inception – Chris Corbould, Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Peter Bebb

Nominees: Alice In Wonderland, Black Swan, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1, Toy Story 3

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  We should be seeing a lot more of Tom Hardy in 2011

  ORANGE WEDNESDAYS RISING AWARD, Presented by: Tom Ford, Eva Green

WINNER: Tom Hardy

Nominees: Gemma Arterton, Andrew Garfield, Aaron Johnson, Emma Stone