Notting Hill was voted Best British film at the Empire Film Awards, which took place today in London, while East Is East deservedly scooped best debut for director Damien O'Donnell.

The Best Film award went to US blockbuster The Matrix, and best actor to Irishman Pierce Brosnan.

Stars including Oscar-nominee Michael Caine, Alicia Silverstone, Minnie Driver, Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter and Kenneth Branagh turned out for awards which were a celebration of British talent working on both sides of the Atlantic.

The awards, voted for by the readers of UK film magazine Empire, reflected a mixture of populist appeal and the UK public's growing affection for home-grown fare.

Screen International, Screendaily.com and Empire magazine are all divisions of UK media group EMAP.

Complete Winners List:

Stella Best Debut - East Is East, director Damien O Donnell

Best British Actress - Helena Bonham Carter (Fight Club)

Best British Actor - Hugh Grant (Notting Hill)

Best British Director - Roger Michell (Notting Hill)

Best British Film - Notting Hill

Special Contribution to Cinema - Industrial Light and Magic for Star Wars special effects

Best Director - M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense)

Best Actor - Pierce Brosnan (The World Is Not Enough)

Best Actress - Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare In Love)

Best Film - The Matrix

Inspiration Award - Keneth Branagh

Movie Masterpiece - Oliver Stone (JFK)

Lifetime Achievement - Michael Caine