The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)'s LA branch gave out its highesthonours at the 2005 Britannia Awards last night.

As previously announced, TomCruise received the Stanley Kubrick award forexcellence in film and Elizabeth Taylor picked up the award for artisticexcellence in international entertainment.

Mike Newell, director of thelatest Harry Potter film won the JohnSchlesinger award for artistic excellence in directing, while Baftafounder Ronald Neame (Great Expectations) was given the Cunardaward for lifetime contributions to international film.

Cruise, taking a break fromfilming Mission: Impossible III,praised his award's namesake and recalled his work with Kubrickon Eyes Wide Shut. Cruise said thehonour was "a recognition of the magnificent power that films possess to effectpositive change in the world."

Other A-listerspresent at the gala dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel were Shirley MacLaine, Anthony Hopkins, Cate Blanchett, Dennis Hopper, Jon Voightand Johnny Depp.

The Britannia Awards werestarted in 1989, with the first prize going to Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli,producer of the James Bond films. Other past recipients include Michael Caine, Martin Scorsese, Anthony Hopkins, Hugh Grant, PeterWeir, Helen Mirren and Steven Spielberg.