Idris Elba has been named best actor and Dame Maggie Smith best actress at the London Evening Standard Film Awards.
The winners were announced at a glitzy, star-studded ceremony at Television Centre in Shepherd’s Bush tonight.
Idris Elba won the award for his performance as Commandant in Beasts Of No Nation, pipping contenders Tom Courtenay and Michael Fassbender to the post.
Meanwhile Dame Maggie Smith beat Emily Blunt, Charlotte Rampling and Saoirse Ronan to be be crowned for her role as Miss Shepherd in The Lady In The Van.
Emma Thompson was also honoured, winning the award for comedy for her role as 77-year-old Cemolina in The Legend of Barney Thomson. Close contenders included Colin Farrell for his role in The Lobster.
The award for best film, in partnership with Television Centre, went to Brooklyn, Nick Hornby’s adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s novel starring Saoirse Ronan and Jim Broadbent.
It faced competition from 45 Years, High-Rise and The Lobster, which were also shortlisted.
The hugely popular Star Wars: The Force Awakens also won big, being announced as the winner in the blockbuster category which was voted for by Evening Standard readers.
The gong for best documentary was awarded to Asif Kapadia for Amy, which tells the story of late singer Amy Winehouse.
It wasn’t all about the biggest names, though. A lesser-known star of the night was 18-year-old Maisie Williams who won the highly sought-after rising star award for her role as Lydia in The Falling.
Evening Standard British Film Awards 2016 Winners
The award for best screenplay went to Emma Donoghue for Room, while Mark Digby was given the gong for technical achievement for his work on Ex Machina.
The Editor’s Award went to 45 Years, while playwright, screenwriter, actor and author Alan Bennett was recognised for his contribution to film.
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