Twilight Tops National Movie Awards

The Twilight series has topped the winners poll with three trophies at this year's National Movie Awards held in London at the Royal Festival Hall.

The Twilight Saga: New Moon was awarded Best Fantasy Movie while Robert Pattinson scooped Best Performance for his role as Edward Cullen.

Eclipse, the latest in the series, was named this year's most anticipated film.

Harry Potter picked up two awards and Gwyneth Paltrow presented Tom Cruise with the Screen Icon Honour at the ceremony.

Upon accepting his award Cruise commented: "It's a real honour for me to be here tonight. This great city of London. This great country England. I've made several films here. I have been fortunate."

He added: "If I have entertained you at all, I thank you. Thank you for allowing me to do so."

Cruise's latest film, action comedy Knight and Day, will be released in the UK in July. Cruise is also working on Mission: Impossible IV, due out at the end of 2011.

Nanny McPhee & The Big Bang and computer animated movie Up were pipped to the post for Best Family Film by Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince.

Kylie Minogue presented Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson with the Special Recognition Award for The Harry Potter series.

An emotional Watson said: "There will be a huge hole in my heart when it's over."

The Breakthrough Movie accolade went to The Time Traveller's Wife beating off competition from Coco Before Chanel, Harry Brown, Nativity!, Paranormal Activity and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes took the first trophy of the night, which was named Best Action and Thriller.

The awards, which are voted for by the public, were hosted by Irish Actor James Nesbitt.

(BMcN/BMcC)