The European Film Awards

Rome was awash with film luvvies over the weekend who gathered in the la citta bella for the European Film Awards 2002, an annual award for films originated and funded in Europe. It was webcast live by Tiscali on Saturday night. To see the highlights of the Awards ceremony click here.

Of course the Brits were there in force. Strolling the red carpet were Jeremy Irons, Patsy Kensit, Alan Rickman, Ken Loach, Pete Postlethwaite, Mike Leigh and Co-Presenter Mel Smith who was joined by Italian actress Asia Argento.But only two of those were up for an award. Ken and Mike the rest were there to hand over the statuette and say those immortal words 'where's my limo' and 'the winner is...'

A theatre full of hopeful directors, producers and actors sat patiently in their seats for two hours in Rome's Teatro Dell'Opera waiting for their names to be called and make the glory walk up to the podium to accept their award as voted by The European Film Academy.

Sadly English backsides remained pretty much seated throughout the ceremony with the exception of Ken Loach who collected his European Critic's Award for Sweet Sixteen. Kate Winslet's behind remained within reaching distance of Sam Mendes in the UK, but she did send a video message thanking the voters for her People's Choice Award for Best actress in Iris.

It was a Spanish arse that did most of the podium action. Pedro Almodovar received 4 awards for Hable Con Ella including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenwriter and People Choice Award for Best Director. By the end of the evening he was getting a little embarrassed. Having swept the awards back in '99 for All About My Mother he commented referring to the award which is a 1 foot silver women in a long evening dress: 'There are just too many women in my house now. Some will have to move out!'

Other winners on the night were the entire female ensemble for 8 Femmes for Best Actress. Not one of these glamorous belles from France could be there so the heavily weathered French rocker Johnny Halladay who looked like he'd done twelve rounds with a bottle of Jack Daniels, picked it up for them. Italian actor and Robert De Niro lookalike Sergio Castellitto won Best Actor 2002 for Bella Martha (Mostly Martha) and L'Ora di Religione (My Mother's Smile). The European Achievement In World Cinema 2002 went to the excellent but unpredictable Victoria Abril.

Last but by no means least the European Film Academy Lifetime Achievement Award 2002 went Italian screenwriter Tonino Guerra. Don't know his name? He's probably written every screenplay for every arty European film you've ever raved about.