Thompson wins film award

EMMA Thompson added to her clutch of film awards last night when she was named Best Actress in the Evening Standard Film Awards, writes David Lister.

Miss Thompson was accompanied at the dinner at the Savoy Hotel by her husband, Kenneth Branagh, and was cited for her performance in Much Ado About Nothing, which he directed. She was also cited for her role in Remains of the Day, in which she starred with Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Sir Anthony was also an award winner last night, receiving a special citation for his contribution to the British film industry.

David Thewlis won the Best Actor award for his part in Mike Leigh's Naked. The Best Film was Raining Stones, directed by Ken Loach. The Peter Sellers Award for Comedy went to Les Blair for Bad Behaviour. Best Newcomers were Gary Synor and Vadim Jean for Leon the Pig Farmer. The Award for Technical Achievement was shared by Sandy Powell, costume designer on Orlando, and Stuart Craig, production designer on The Secret Garden.