British Academy Film Awards 2012 Winners Announced

The Artist scores big at a star-studded movie ceremony!
Make no mistake, the BAFTA Film Awards are amongst the biggest British events of the annual schedule, and this year's ceremony was a true testament to that, featuring a host of surprises and much-deserved victories that showcased the best of our country's grand cinema offerings in 2011, while looking ahead to what exciting Brit features await us in the next twelve months. Silent throwback The Artist won a great deal of the awards it was nominated for, while features like Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Help, The Iron Lady and Tyrannosaur also gained prestigious titles too. Here's the list of winners in full...
BEST FILM: The Artist- I've always got the sense that award nominators seem to be giving this one a chance simply based on the audacity to return to such an aged genre, but I'll reserve full judgement on Artist until I've caught it on DVD later in the year.
OUTSTANDING BRITISH FILM: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy- Once again one which seems to be 'hyped up' due to no-one else wanting to return to the genre, yet undeniably a great achievement for British film.
OUTSTANDING DEBUT: Paddy Considine (Tyrannosaur)
FOREIGN FILM: The Skin I Live In
DOCUMENTARY: Senna
ANIMATED FILM: Rango- This daring Wild West animation proved a neat surprise for me when I watched this last month, so I was glad to see it best Arthur Christmas and Tintin for this award.
DIRECTOR: Michel Hazanavicus (The Artist)- Despite my current reservations surrounding The Artist, I can't deny that the direction itself seems pretty impressive, so this may well be a warranted one.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: The Artist
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy- From what I've heard of LeCarre's novel, this was a faithful rendition of it, even if it meant that things occassionally felt a little slow and dull on-screen.
LEADING ACTOR: Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
LEADING ACTRESS: Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)- Trailers I've watched for Meryl's turn as Maggie Thatcher have shown a lot of promise- unless they're deceptive this was probably a well-deserved win.
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Octavia Spencer (The Help)- I didn't manage to catch this one at the cinemas, and thus I can't provide a verdict on this award, but the critics applauded Spencer, and I look forward to providing my own review of her portrayal when the DVD of The Help releases this Summer. It's a shame Carey Mulligan couldn't have won this award for her role in Drive, though.
ORIGINAL MUSIC: The Artist
CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Artist- Personally, I would have given War Horse this one for its masterful direction and shots, but each to their own I suppose...
EDITING: Senna
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Hugo- Another movie I'm dying to see when it debuts on DVD, Hugo has already scooped up various nominations, and from what I hear this is one of its best wins.
COSTUME DESIGN: The Artist
MAKE UP AND HAIR: The Iron Lady
SOUND: Hugo
SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2- It's great to see that one of the best-loved British film franchises was paid tribute to with this accolade, even if Rise of the Planet of the Apes was just as deserving (if not moreso) of the award.
ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD: Adam Deacon- I can't say I agree with this one, especially when Thor's Chris Hemsworth and Thor/War Horse's Tom Hiddleston were also on the list. Here's hoping that we get it right next year!
BAFTA FELLOWSHIP: Martin Scorese
OUTSTANDING BRITISH CONTRIBUTION TO CINEMA: John Hurt- What a wonderful award to give to one of the best British actors around- Hurt has touched and captivated our nation for decades in countless guises, and I for one hope he continues to do so for many more years to come. Congratulations to all the winners, and to all the brilliant films nominated for these prestigious awards.