'Vera Drake' and 'The Aviator' Dominate BAFTAs

It was also a good night for local talent, with Mike Leigh, Imelda Staunton and Clive Owen all taking home awards.

Feb 14 2005

'The Aviator' and 'Vera Drake' took the top prizes at this weekend's 2005 BAFTA Film Awards.

Scooping four awards, 'The Aviator' was declared best film, Cate Blanchett won best supporting actress and the movie also took home BAFTAs for production design and make-up and hair.

Marin Scorsese did not win the best director award however, with the award instead going to Mike Leigh for his 1950s abortion drama 'Vera Drake'.

And in one of the night's most hotly contested categories, 'Vera Drake' star Imelda Staunton saw off a two-pronged attack from Kate Winslet (who was nominated for both 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' and 'Finding Neverland') to win the best actress award.

Accepting her BAFTA, Staunton said: 'Thank you very much. I'm so thrilled and grateful that the success of 'Vera Drake' has boosted sales of hair nets and pinnies.'

Jamie Foxx was named best actor for 'Ray', and following his Golden Globe victory last month, he's now odds on favourite to win an Oscar come February 27, while Clive Owen boosted his chances of Academy glory when he was named best supporting actor for 'Closer'.

Elsewhere 'My Summer of Love' was declared best British film, 'The Motorcycle Diaries' picked up the best foreign film award and 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' was named Orange film of the year, as voted for by the public.

The star-studded London ceremony was attended by countless Hollywood luminaries, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Keanu Reeves, Richard Gere, Christian Slater and Goldie Hawn, and was again hosted by Stephen Fry.

Full list of awards:

Best Film – 'The Aviator'
Best Director – Mike Leigh ('Vera Drake')
Best Actor – Jamie Foxx ('Ray')
Best Actress – Imelda Staunton ('Vera Drake')
Best Supporting Actor – Clive Owen ('Closer')
Best Supporting Actress – Cate Blanchett ('The Aviator')
Best Screenplay – Charlie Kaufman ('Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind')
Best Adapted Screenplay – Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor ('Sideways')
Best British Film – 'My Summer of Love'
Best Foreign Film – 'The Motorcycle Diaries'
Best Cinematography – 'Collateral'
Best Editing – 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'
Best Production Design – 'The Aviator'
Best Costume Design – 'Vera Drake'
Best Sound – 'Ray'
Best Music – 'The Motorcycle Diaries'
Best Special Visual Effects – 'The Day After Tomorrow'
Best Make-up and Hair – 'The Aviator'
Best Short Film – 'The Banker'
Best Short Animated Film – 'Birthday Boy'
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema – Angela Allen
Carl Foreman Award for Best British Newcomer – Amma Asante ('A Way of Life')
Academy Fellowship – John Barry