Colman and Hurt take lead roles at film awards

Michael Fassbender and Olivia Colman were named best actor and actress at last night's London Evening Standard British Film Awards.

Fassbender won best actor for his performances as a sex addict in Shame and Rochester in Jane Eyre. Also nominated were Gary Oldman, for his portrayal of George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and Tom Hiddleston for his role in Archipelago.

The award for best actress went to Colman who stunned audiences with her portrayal of a battered wife in Tyrannosaur, directed by Paddy Considine. The Peep Show actress beat three Oscar winners in Vanessa Redgrave, Tilda Swinton and Rachel Weisz. Both Fassbender and Colman won acting gongs at last month's British Independent Film Awards. Lynne Ramsay's adaptation of Lionel Shriver's We Need to Talk About Kevin met with huge critical acclaim upon its release, but picked up its first award last night, after it was named best film.

Senna, which tracked the life of racing driver Ayrton Senna, was named best documentary. The Alexander Walker Special Award for Contribution to Cinema went to John Hurt.