Award Central News

Kudofest took place Thursday at Dorchester Hotel.

Stephen Frears picked up the British director prize for "The Queen," which also collected the British film gong.

Pic's awards season darling Helen Mirren took British actress and Peter Morgan the screenplay nod.

The four Critics' Circle wins sends "The Queen" into Sunday's BAFTA's full of beans -- it leads the field with 10 noms.

The movie "symbolizes everything that is right with the British film industry at the moment, and it is great to see that it can compete with the best that Hollywood can offer," said London Critics' Circle awards chair Marianne Gray.

In addition to the two big prizes, "United 93" landed Brit producer kudos for Greengrass, Lloyd Levin, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.

"The Devil Wears Prada" drew nods for actress Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt for British supporting actress.

Forest Whitaker collected the actor prize for "The Last King of Scotland."

The other Brit acting prizes went to Toby Jones for his portrayal of Truman Capote in "Infamous" and to Michael Caine for his supporting role in "The Prestige."

The British newcomer prize went to Andrea Arnold for her feature debut "Red Road" -- winner of the jury prize at Cannes.

Pedro Almodovar's "Volver," which earned rave reviews from the Brit critics and did boffo biz at the U.K. box office, won the foreign film award.

The Dilys Powell award for contribution to British cinema went to thesp Leslie Philips ("Venus").

Money raised from the charity awards bash goes to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.