BAFTA 2012: and the winners are...

The stars were out in celebration of the last 12 months of film at London's Royal Opera House in Covent Garden on February 12th 2012 for this year's BAFTAs. First and foremost, Stephen Fry has risen in my estimation. As the host for the evening, his one-liners were spot on, his dry delivery perfectly timed and his enthusiasm for film clear for all to see.

After a rousing entrance number from Tom Jones, belting out the classic Bond theme Thunderball to celebrate the Bond series' 50th anniversary this year, the awards got under way; the first of which a deserved triumph after 10 years of nominations for the Harry Potter series. Deathly Hallows Part 2, the final film in the series, picked up Special Visual Effects. Outstanding British Film went to Tomas Alfredson's adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, a film that had 11 nominations at this year's ceremony and would pick up a further award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Rango took the Animated film award home and Scorsese's Hugo won Best Sound and Production Design, as well as the BAFTA fellowship award for the brilliant director.

Meryl Streep's depiction of Margaret Thatcher earned her Best Actress - if she also wins the Best Actress accolade at this year's Oscars it will be the first time she has won the award since Sophie's Choice in 1983. Christopher Plummer took home Best Supporting Actor for Beginners, Octavia Spencer took home Best Supporting Actress for The Help and perhaps the biggest disappointment of the night was that Gary Oldman lost out on Best Actor to Jean Dujardin for The Artist.

In the end, the night firmly belonged to Michel Hazanavicius' remarkable silent film The Artist. Receiving 7 BAFTAs including the Best Film gong, it goes to show that original and audacious concepts are becoming ever more welcome in an industry permeated with sequels. The results of this year's BAFTAs should leave film lovers eager for the Oscars ceremony which can be seen in the UK on Sky Movies Premiere/Premiere HD on Sunday February 26th 2012.