4 FEBRUARY 2002
Kate Winslet was honoured as best actress for a trio of her works and Gosford Park took the film of the year prize at the 29th Annual Evening Standard British Film Awards on Sunday. Kate joined a host of celebrities, including 007 star Pierce Brosnan, Mick Jagger, and Prime Minister Tony Blair at London’s Savoy to toast the best of British cinema.

Ms Winslet, elegant in black trousers and a top with cutaway shoulders, took home a gong for three diverse performances from the last twelve months: a prison laundress for the Marquis de Sade in Quills, a code-breaker in the Mick Jagger-produced war film Enigma and her latest effort, a young novelist in Iris. Linus Roache picked up a best actor nod for playing poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in Pandaemonium.

Maggie Smith presented director Robert Altman the award for his critically acclaimed murder mystery Gosford Park while Ben Hopkins of The Nine Lives Of Tomas Katz collected his most promising newcomer award from Ewan McGregor. Ben is in good company, as past winners include such stars as Jamie Bell, Jude Law and Guy Ritchie.

Though Gosford Park took the best film statuette, Bridget Jones’s Diary was also a big winner, scooping two of the eight awards of the night. Guest of honour Tony Blair presented the best screenplay award to the writers of the hit comedy, while the film’s leading cad Hugh Grant took the Peter Sellers award for comedy for his role in the film.

Legendary actor Christopher Lee was recognised for his contribution to the UK film industry, collecting a lifetime achievement award. Pierce Brosnan presented the statuette to the 79-year-old Lord Of The Rings star, who has made over 200 films during his five decades in showbiz.

Other stars at the gala hosted by Lord and Lady Rothermere included Sir Ben Kingsley, Greta Scacchi, and Oscar winner Anna Paquin.

Lord Rothermere is chairman of Daily Mail and General Trust plc, publisher of the Evening Standard.