Seven Baftas For 'Slumdog Millionaire'

British movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' swept to success at last night's Baftas, picking up seven awards, including Best Picture.

The movie, which tells the story of a young boy from the slums of Mumbai who appears on the Indian version of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire', also picked up awards for editing, cinematography, music and sound, while Simon Beaufoy, who wrote the screenplay, won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay and Danny Boyle was named Best Director.

The film, which has also received ten Oscar nominations, is now widely expected to win Best Pictures at the ceremony.

Kate Winslet also continued her successful run, picking up the Best Actress award for her role as a former concentration camp guard in 'The Reader'. She had also been nominated in the same category for her role in 'Revolutionary Road' and she beat Angelina Jolie ('Changeling'), Kristin Scott Thomas ('I've Loved You So Long') and Meryl Streep ('Doubt') to win the award.

Mickey Rourke won the Best Actor award for his role in 'The Wrestler', while the late Heath Ledger was named Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in the latest instalment in the Batman series, 'The Dark Knight'. Penelope Cruz was named Best Supporting Actress for her role in Woody Allan's 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'.

Other winners at the awards included the documentary 'Man On Wire', which was named Outstanding British Film, 'WALL-E', which was named Best Animation, and 'I've Loved You So Long', which won the award for Best Film Not In The English Language.

Terry Gilliam was also awarded the prestigious Bafta fellowship.

(KMcA/JM)