Batman Wins Big At Empire Awards

The annual ceremony at the city's Grosvenor Hotel on Sunday (29Mar09) celebrated the film industry's success stories of the year, with Empire magazine readers voting for the winners in all the major categories.

And Batman movie The Dark Knight continued its award season haul, taking home the Best Movie trophy, as well as gaining a Best Actor prize for its star Christian Bale and the Best Director statuette for filmmaker Christopher Nolan.

The event also paid homage to late actor Heath Ledger, who won a posthumous Oscar for his role as evil villain The Joker in the blockbuster, by honouring him with a special commemoration award for his life works.

Moviemaker Danny Boyle, whose Slumdog Millionaire garnered a massive eight Academy Awards at this year's (09) ceremony, turned out to receive an Outstanding Contribution to Film honour in recognition of his 14 year directorial career.

Brit star Helena Bonham Carter walked away with the Best Actress award for her role in Tim Burton's sinister musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Guy Ritchie's latest gangster thriller RocknRolla won the Best British Movie prize, while Abba musical Mamma Mia took home the trophy for Best Soundtrack.

Bond film Quantum of Solace won two awards; one for Best Thriller and another for Best Newcomer for Brit actress Gemma Arterton.

And Hollywood tough guys were the toast of the night - Russell Crowe and Viggo Mortenson received special tributes in honour of their longrunning dedication to acting.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Best Film: The Dark Knight

Best Actor: Christian Bale

Best Actress: Helena Bonham Carter

Best British Film: RocknRolla

Best Director: Christopher Nolan

Icon Award: Viggo Mortenson

Best Thriller: Quantum of Solace

Best Comedy: Son of Rambow

Best Horror: Eden Lake

Best Newcomer: Gemma Arterton

Best Soundtrack: Mamma Mia

Outstanding Contribution to British Film: Danny Boyle

Actor of our Lifetime: Russell Crowe