King and Queen triumph

ROYALTY triumphed at the British film awards today, with The Queen clinching best film and Helen Mirren best actress for her portrayal of the monarch, while The Last King of Scotland scooped three awards.

In contrast, the latest James Bond movie failed to shake or stir, picking up just one of the nine BAFTA nominations it received - winning the sound quality category.

It was definitely a night for kings as well as queens as Forest Whitaker won best actor for playing the late Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.

He beat off competition from Daniel Craig, the controversial but ultimately successful choice to replace Pierce Brosnan as superspy James Bond in Casino Royale.

The winners were;

Best film - The Queen

Best British film - The Last King of Scotland

Best director - Paul Greengrass (United 93)

Original screenplay - Little Miss Sunshine

Adapted Screenplay - The Last King of Scotland

Foreign language film - Pan's Labyrinth

Animated feature film - Happy Feet

Best actor - Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland)

Best actress - Helen Mirren (The Queen)

Best supporting actor - Alan Arkin (Little Miss Sunshine)

Best supporting actress - Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls)

Best music - Babel

Cinematography - Children of Men

Editing - United 93

Production design - Children of Men

Costume design - Pan's Labyrinth

Sound - Casino Royale

Visual effects - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Make up & hair - Pan's Labyrinth

Short animation - Guy 101

Short film - Do Not Erase

Rising star (voted for by the public) - Eva GreenBritish debut director/writer/producer - Andrea Arnold (Red Road)