Idris Elba Lands Fourth Win Of 2016 At London Evening Standard British Film Awards

  • 08 February 2016

Award shows continue to bring shame on the forthcoming Academy Awards for not giving Idris Elba a nomination, as the London Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor marks the 'Beasts Of No Nation' star's fourth win of the year (but remember, the BAFTAs are still to come!).

Idris Elba takes home his fourth award of 2016
Image caption Idris Elba takes home his fourth award of 2016

Idris Elba took home the Best Actor prize for his part in the harrowing Golden Globe-nominated Netflix movie 'Beasts Of No Nation' about the plight of child soldiers in an African civil war. It comes off the back of his two wins at Screen Actors Guild Awards for the same movie and the detective series 'Luther', and his Critics Choice Television Award for the latter.

More: Idris Elba wins big at the SAG Awards

It was 'Brooklyn' starring Saoirse Ronan that landed Best Film however, with 'Downton Abbey' actress Maggie Smith getting Best Actress for 'The Lady in the Van' - her first win for the movie and her first individual win of the year. Indeed, the screenwriter for that film, Alan Bennett, also won a Special Award for his contribution to British Film.

Maggie Smith wins her first award for 'The Lady In The Van'
Image caption Maggie Smith wins her first award for 'The Lady In The Van'

Best Screenplay overall went to Emma Donoghue's 'Room', a high-flyer in the Oscars race, but it was '45 Years' starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay that landed the Editor's Award while 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' predictably took home Blockbuster of the Year after raking in $2.008 billion at the box office; being only the third ever film to manage such a feat and breaking the record for the highest-grossing worldwide opening of all time.

Image caption 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' lands Blockbbuster of the Year

Amy Winehouse film 'Amy' was named Best Documentary, and the other film stars/makers honoured at the ceremony were 'Game Of Thrones' star Maisie Williams for 'The Falling' which won her the Rising Star award, Emma Thompson for 'The Legend of Barney Thomson' which got the Award for Comedy, and production designer for 'Ex Machina' Mark Digby who was recognised for his Technical Achievement.