Star Wars: The Force Awakens triumphs at the Empire film awards
The force was strong at last night’s Jameson Empire Awards as sci-fi blockbuster Star Wars: The Force Awakens emerged as the big winner, scooping five gongs including best sci-fi/fantasy, best visual effects and best director for JJ Abrams.
There were also awards for Star Wars actors John Boyega and Daisy Ridley, who won the best male and female newcomer prizes respectively.
The Force Awakens trumped Mad Max: Fury Road, which took a respectable four awards, with recognition for its make-up, costumes, soundtrack and production design at the central London event.
Mad Max: Fury Road had gone into last night’s (March 20) awards with 10 nominations to Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ nine.
But neither title took home the best film award, which went to The Revenant.
Matt Damon was on hand to accept his best actor award for The Martian, while Alicia Vikander, pictured, took the best actress gong for her performance in The Danish Girl.
Spectre, Spy and The Hallow were named best thriller, comedy and horror respectively at a ceremony hosted by the writer and comedian David Walliams.
Spectre, the latest in the James Bond franchise, also collected the award for best British film, accepted by director Sam Mendes.
Actor and film-maker Paddy Considine was handed the Empire Inspiration award by director Shane Meadows, who was honoured in turn for his Channel 4 TV series This is England ’90.
Stanley Tucci was presented with the Empire Hero award, and actor Alan Rickman was posthumously presented the UK film magazine’s Legend award during a glitzy event that also saw prizes go to the documentary Amy, Pixar animation Inside Out and financial crisis comedy The Big Short.
Spy
BEST SCI-FI/FANTASY
The Hallow
BEST THRILLER presented by Corinthia Hotel London
John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
BEST FEMALE NEWCOMER presented by the Forever Hope Foundation
Matt Damon (The Martian)
BEST SCREENPLAY
The Big Short — Charles Randolph, Adam McKay
BEST ANIMATED FILM
Mad Max: Fury Road
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Mad Max: Fury Road
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Mad Max: Fury Road
BEST GAME presented by the Forever Hope Foundation
Batman: Arkham Knight — WINNER
WINNER EMPIRE LEGEND
Alan Rickman
Stanley Tucci
WINNER EMPIRE INSPIRATION presented by Jameson Irish Whiskey
