Spain Honoured At Oscars, But UK Cleans Up

Last night's 81st Academy Awards held some surprises.

Penelope Cruz's Oscar accolade in Los Angeles is actually a double honour.

Not only did the actress step up to the stage as the first winner of the night - picking up the best supporting actress award for her performance as a passionate artist in Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona - she also became the first Spanish actress ever to win an acting Oscar.

Dedicated her award "to all the actors from my country" the 34-year-old star, previously nominated in 2007 said: "Has anybody ever fainted here? I might be the first one".

Meanwhile, low-budget indie British film Slumdog Millionaire won the top prize at the Academy Awards, winning eight Oscars including best director and best picture.

Danny Boyle's Film 4-funded movie, a rags to riches drama set in the slums of India, also claimed gongs for best adapted screenplay and best original score.

In a great night for Britain, Kate Winslet won the best actress Oscar for The Reader, finally clinching the award on her sixth nomination.

After years of waiting in the wings - Winslet, 33, won her Academy Award for playing a Nazi prison officer in The Reader.

But the big surprise of the night was Sean Penn, winning best actor for his role as gay rights activist Harvey Milk.

Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for supporting actor for The Dark Knight.

The actor's family received the award on behalf of Ledger, who died in January 2008.

But the night belonged to Slumdog Millionaire, the rags-to-riches tale that has enchanted audiences around the world.

Director Danny Boyle, 52, bounced up and down in delight as he received his award, telling the audience: "I swore [to my children] if this miracle ever happened I would receive it in the spirit of Tigger."

The film, set in the slums of Mumbai (Bombay), won eight awards in total, including gongs for best adapted screenplay, cinematography, sound mixing, film editing, best original score and best song.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie both went home empty-handed, while The Curious Case of Benjamin Button converted just three of its 13 nominations - all in the technical fields.

Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who hosted the event, excelled too and showed off his musical talents - opening with a medley of songs paying tribute to the best picture nominees.

He went on to join singer Beyonce in a tribute to Hollywood's best-loved musicals.

(BMcC/JM)