Colin Firth named as Best Actor at the BAFTAS

It was a fantastic night for the ex-wife of James Cameron. Kathryn Bigelow's war film The Hurt Locker won an amazing six awards, including Best Film and Best Director.

Cameron, who was nominated in the same categories for Avatar, had said he would not mind missing out to Bigelow as he believes she is a great director.

All eyes were on Avatar, and although it was nominated for eight awards, the biggest selling movie of all time only picked up two – Special Visual Effects and Production Design. Yet it was more than Cameron's previous epic Titanic, which failed to picked up a single BAFTA in 1998.

The Best Actor award went to British actor Colin Firth for A Single Man, who praised first time director Tom Ford. “I think an encounter with Tom Ford is to come away resuscitated, a little more worldly, better informed, better groomed, more fragrant and more nominated than one has ever been before.

“I’ve worked with a lot of great directors and he’s definitely up there with the very best of them.”

Firth explained that he almost turned down the chance to star in the film, but was persuaded otherwise by his refrigerator repair man.

The Best Actress award saw British actress Carey Mulligan deliver a less polished speech, as she genuinely did not believe she would win. “I really didn’t expect this at all so I didn’t think of anything to say,” she said. “Thank you so much BAFTA. I was here a year ago and I didn’t imagine in a million years that this would happen. I wish I could do a speech like Colin Firth and talk about fridges but I can’t.”

Mulligan's win is welcome news after she revealed recently that she was rejected by three drama schools.

Kristen Stewart was presented with the Orange Rising Star Award for her performances in films including The Twilight Saga.

BAFTA’s new President HRH Prince William attended the awards.

Below is the full list of winners:-

Best Film
The Hurt Locker

Outstanding British Film
Fish Tank

Director
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

Leading Actor
Colin Firth, A Single Man

Leading Actress
Carey Mulligan, An Education

Supporting Actor
Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Supporting Actress
Mo'Nique, Precious

Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer
Duncan Jones, Director of Moon

Original Screenplay
Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker

Adapted Screenplay
Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air

Film Not In The English Language
A Prophet

Animated Film
Up

Music
Michael Giacchino, Up

Cinematography
Barry Ackroyd, The Hurt Locker

Editing
Bob Murawski & Chris Innis, The Hurt Locker

Production Design
Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg & Kim Sinclair, Avatar

Costume Design
Sandy Powell, The Young Victoria

Sound
Ray Beckett & Paul N. J. Ottosson, The Hurt Locker

Special Visual Effects
Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham & Andrew R. Jones, Avatar

Make Up & Hair
Jenny Shircore, The Young Victoria

Short Animation
Sally Arthur & Emma Lazenby, Mother Of Many

Short Film
James Bolton & Martina Amati, I Do Air

The Orange Rising Star Award (Voted For By The Public)
Kristen Stewart