LONDON: Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker has won six prizes, including best picture, at the British Academy Film Awards.

Kathryn Bigelow took the best director prize for the film, beating nominees that included her former husband, Avatar director James Cameron. She became the first woman to receive the prize.

The Hurt Locker also won prizes for original screenplay, cinematography, editing and sound. Avatar picked up awards for

production design and visual effects.

Avatar and The Hurt Locker both went into February 21 awards with nominations in eight categories, including best picture.

The awards, known as BAFTAs, are considered an important indicator of likely Oscar success.

Colin Firth was named

Best Actor. The 49-year-old star won the honour for his role as a gay academic in Tom Ford’s A Single Man, which was the fashion designer’s directorial debut.

Fellow Briton Carey Mulligan was named Best Actress for her role in An Education

Best Supporting Actress went to newcomer Mo’Nique for her role as an abusive mother in Precious: Based

on the Novel Push by Sapphire, while Inglourious Basterds star Christoph Waltz was named as Best Supporting Actor.

Twilight star Kristen Stewart received the Rising Star prize, which is voted for by the British public, beating Carey Mulligan and A Single Man star Nicholas Hoult.

At the end of the ceremony, campaigning actress Vanessa Redgrave was given this year’s BAFTA Fellowship, which was presented by Britain’s Prince William and Uma Thurman.

After receiving a standing ovation, the 73-year-old star said, “Oh dear, I’m afraid you’ve done me in. Your Royal Highness, my dear, beautiful Uma, my dear BAFTA friends and colleagues, yes you’ve done me in, you have absolutely done me in.”