Jamie Bell, the young star of Stephen Daldry's featurefilm debut, Billy Elliot, has won the Bafta award for best leading actor- despite having been overlooked in the Oscar nominations.

Bell, who claimed that he almost didn't bother attending theawards, given the caliber of the competition, beat the Oscar-nominated RussellCrowe to the coveted title at the awards ceremony in London on 25 February.Ridley Scott's Gladiator dominated the awards, scooping five Baftas,including best film, as well as cinematography, production design, editing andthe Orange audience vote for best film.

The first Orange British Academy Film Awards since thepivotal date change to schedule the event one month before the Oscars, saw the highest-ever turnout of Hollywoodtalent, both as nominees and presenters.

The full list of awards was as follows:

Best Film:
Gladiator

Alexander Korda Award for outstanding British Film of theYear:
Billy Elliot

David Lean Award for Best Achievement in Direction:
Ang Lee for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Orange audience award:
Gladiator

Best Screenplay (Original):
Cameron Crowe for Almost Famous

Best Screenplay (Adapted):
Stephen Gaghan for Traffic

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role:
Julia Roberts for Erin Brockovich

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role:
Jamie Bell for Billy Elliot

Best Performa