The Iraq war drama wins six awards at England's version of the Oscars.
“The Hurt Locker" left “Avatar" in the dust Sunday at the 2010 Orange British Academy Film Awards, winning best film, best director for Kathryn Bigelow, original screenplay for Mark Boal, cinematography, editing and sound.
“Avatar" won for visual effects and production design at the awards show, presented at the Royal Opera House in Londons Covent Garden.
Though “The Hurt Locker" lost the Golden Globe in the category of best dramatic film to “Avatar," the gripping ensemble drama about a bomb-disposal unit in Iraq has won the lion's share of the critics' awards. Bigelow made history three weeks ago when she became the first woman to win the feature-film award from the Directors Guild of America. She is also the first woman to win the top British award. Boal also won the Writers Guild of America Award for original screenplay Saturday evening.
“The Hurt Locker" is nominated for nine Oscars, including best film, director, actor and screenplay.
The British version of the Academy Awards are presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA). Last year's best picture winner, “Slumdog Millionaire," went on to sweep the Oscars.
The BAFTA awards for best actor and actress went to England's own Colin Firth for “A Single Man" and Carey Mulligan for “An Education."
There were no surprises in the supporting awards category with Christoph Waltz earning best supporting actor for “Inglourius Basterds" and Mo'Nique for “Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire." Both actors have dominated this awards season in their categories.
Other winners Sunday:
Adapted screenplay: “Up in the Air"
Animated film: “Up"
Music: “Up"
Best British film: “Fish Tank"
Film not in English: “A Prophet"
Orange Rising Star: Kristen Stewart
Costume design: “Young Victoria"
Hair and makeup: “Young Victoria"
Outstanding British contribution to cinema: Joe Dunton
Outstanding debut: Duncan Jones for “Moon"
