Wednesday, February 14---The Brits were back as big winners (on their home turf) of the BAFTA Awards, more formally referred to as the Orange British Academy Film Awards. The Best Film honors went to THE QUEEN, as did the Best Actress nod to Helen Mirren (dust off that bookshelf for your Oscar, Mrs. Hackford), with the Best British Film prize going to THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, and its lead actor Forrest Whitaker for his portrayal of Uganda strongman Idi Amin.

Forrest Whitaker + Helen Mirren at the BAFTA Awards

Other Brits who shined include Best Director winner Paul Greengrass, for the harrowing 9-11 docudrama UNITED 93;  screenwriter Peter Morgan for his adapted screenplay for THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND (after having missed out on a double play for his nominated screenplay for THE QUEEN, which did not win); and Orange Rising Star winner Eva Green for her modern take on the classic femme fatale in the James Bond epic CASINO ROYALE. Eva Green + Daniel Craig in CASINO ROYALE

Other winners could also figure at the Academy Awards in two weeks: veteran actor Alan Arkin was a surprise choice for his Best Supporting Actor role as a foul-mouthed grandfather in LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. The indie film hit also won an Original Screenplay prize for its fledgling screenwriter Michael Arndt (a surpise winner at the Writers Guild of America awards, as well). Jennifer Hudson won yet another accoloade with the prize as Best Supporting Actress for the musical film DREAMGIRLS (another in a galaxy of honors that the former American Ido also-ran has won in her meteoric rise to superstardom, for her first screen appearance no less).

The Mexican/Spanish film PAN'S LABYRINTH was actually the evening's biggest winner, snagging three awards as Best Foreign Language Film, Best Makeup and Best Costume.  For a complete list of BAFTA Nominees and Winners, log on to their website: http://www.bafta.org/site/page287.html

Sandy Mandelberger, Awards Watch Editor