Potter wins top Empire film prize

The final instalment of the blockbuster Harry Potter film franchise has won the top prizes at the 2012 Empire Awards. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 scooped best film and best director for David Yates, with many of the film's cast attending the ceremony. Gary Oldman - who played Sirius Black in the fantasy film series - won best actor for his role in political thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. And The Inbetweeners Movie picked up best comedy. Speaking before the ceremony, actor Blake Harrison, who plays hapless, slow-witted Neil Sutherland in the film, said he did not expect to take the prize. "We're up against such brilliant films," he said. "It's films like Bridesmaids and Crazy, Stupid Love. I don't know why I'm here, to be honest." Daniel Radcliffe was unable to attend the ceremony to receive the Harry Potter prize, but left a video message, saying: "I've always been quite a harsh judge of the series, but I was over the moon with this final film; I think we went out on a high note." Picking up the best director prize, Yates added: "Anyone who's ever directed a movie like this knows that it's a huge great family that helps bring these movies to fruition and makes them what they are." Lifetime prize Oldman took home the best actor prize after losing out to France's Jean Dujardin, who starred in The Artist, at both the Oscars and the Baftas. On the red carpet, he said: "The French have followed me wherever I've been". "I looked around and there's no Frenchmen around. I've actually got a chance of winning tonight," he joked. The veteran actor won the Empire Icon award at last year's ceremony, and claimed it was the first prize of his 40-year career. On stage in London on Sunday, he said this year's win carried meaning because it "it isn't political, there's no agenda. It's just movie fans". "I will cherish this," he added. "Thank you very much." Oldman's film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy went on to win best British film and best thriller. The best actress prize went to Olivia Colman, best known for playing Sophie Chapman in Peep Show. Her prize was for hard-hitting English drama Tyrannosaur, in which she plays a victim of domestic abuse. On stage, she said she hadn't expected to win because Tyrannosaur "wasn't the biggest film" of last year. She added: "Although it doesn't seem it, it was the most enjoyable experience I've ever had on set." Director Tim Burton, whose films include Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd and the 1989 version of Batman, picked up the Empire Legend award. Taking to the stage, Burton said he was a fan of Empire Magazine, which ran the awards, but confessed "I don't read the reviews". Michael Fassbender, star of Shame, was given the Empire Hero prize. "This is kind of unusual, because the first job I wanted to do was be Superman, so a hero award is official now," he said as he accepted the trophy. The Empire Awards are held annually, with winners decided by public vote. Full list of winners Best film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 Best British film: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Best actor: Gary Oldman Best actress: Olivia Colman Best Director: David Yates (Harry Potter) Best male newcomer: Tom Hiddleston (Thor) Best female newcomer: Felicity Jones (Like Crazy) Best comedy: The Inbetweeners Movie Best horror: Kill List Best thriller: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Best sci-fi: Thor The Art of 3D award: The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Empire Hero: Michael Fassbender Empire Inspiration Award:Ron Howard Empire Legend:Tim Burton