The winners have been revealed for this year’s Rakuten TV Empire Awards, which celebrates the best in film and entertainment of the past year, as voted for by movie fans. Box-office phenomenon Star Wars: The Last Jedi picked up the most awards on the night including the prestigious Best Film (presented by Sky Cinema) honour. Daisy Ridley also attended to collect her award for Best Actress (presented by Rakuten TV), as did Rian Johnson who was chosen as Best Director (presented by Vue Entertainment). The film was also honoured in the Visual Effects and Costume categories. Star Wars hero Mark Hamill was there to round off the sci-fi epic’s celebrations and was honoured with Empire’s Icon Award (presented by BMW).
Titan of cinema Steven Spielberg also attended the 23rd annual awards to receive Empire’s Legend of Our Lifetime Award (presented by Rakuten TV). Empire bestowed two further honourary awards at the ceremony to celebrate the industry’s greatest talents. Firstly, Amma Asante (A United Kingdom) was awarded the Empire Inspiration Award in recognition of her commitment to British filmmaking and her importance as a trailblazer for female filmmakers and people of colour. Baby Driver director Edgar Wright was also celebrated with Empire’s brand-new Visionary Award.
Hollywood mega-star Hugh Jackman attended to collect the Best Actor Award (presented by Rakuten TV) for his definitive lead performance in critically-acclaimed fan-favourite Logan. Jackman was joined by his talented young co-star Dafne Keen who was voted Best Female Newcomer (presented by Hilton Park Lane).
The flag for British film and television was flying high, with God’s Own Country in particular taking home Best British Film (presented by The Hollywood Reporter), and Josh O’Connor picking up Best Male Newcomer for his role as Johnny Saxby in the film. Whilst in the world of TV, The Crown picked up the award for Best TV Series (presented by Three).
Empire’s Editor-In-Chief Terri White commented: “This year’s Empire Awards might just be the most exciting yet! It was a hugely important year for cinema, both on screen and off, and from Get Out to Wonder Women to Star Wars: The Last Jedi and God’s Own Country, I’m thrilled to see such a rich, diverse and diverse group of winners. The Empire readers really know their stuff”
Other awards won on the night included: Best Actress in a TV Series, which went to Nicole Kidman for her role in Big Little Lies and Best Actor In A TV Series, which was awarded to Jason Isaacs for his role in Star Trek: Discovery; Get Out, which won Best Horror and Best Screenplay and Wonder Woman, which was awarded Best Sci-Fi/ Fantasy (presented by Three); The Death Of Stalin won Best Comedy, (presented by Monkey Shoulder) and Kingsman: The Golden Circle received Best Thriller (presented by Absolute Radio). Best Documentary went to I Am Not Your Negro, and Best Animated Film was awarded to Coco; Baby Driver was voted the winner of Best Soundtrack and Best Production Design; Best Make-Up and Hairstyling was awarded to Beauty and the Beast.
