ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURES AND SCIENCES - BEFORE SUNSET GETS AN OSCARS BOOST

Hit sleeper movie BEFORE SUNSET has been given an OSCARS boost after being

named the Film of The Year by VILLAGE VOICE critics in New York.

The BEFORE SUNRISE sequel's director RICHARD LINKLATER also claimed the

magazine's Director of The Year prize just a day after the movie, starring

ETHAN HAWKE and JULIE DELPY, was chosen as the Film of The Year by

newspaper LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS.

The Village Voice critics also chose VERA DRAKE star IMELDA STAUNTON as

their Actress of The Year - the fourth prize the Brit has garnered so far

this awards season.