It was Kathryn Bigelow’s night at the Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday, with the favorite “The Hurt Locker” dominating with a haul of awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, and Best Editing.

Clive Owen & Kathryn Bigelow

'The Hurt Locker' star Jeremy Renner with Katheryn Bigelow

“My heart’s beating so fast I can barely talk,” she said as she took the podium to accept the best director award. “I think the secret to directing is collaboration, and I was so lucky to have an incredible cast and crew. This is deeply moving — we all felt an incredible responsibility to honor the courage of the men and women in the field.”

While James Cameron has insisted throughout the award season he has been his ex Kathryn Bigelow’s biggest cheerleader, he could be forgiven for being disappointed when his $300million epic ended up with two technical prizes for best Special Visual Effects and Production Design. Avatar is now the biggest grossing film of all time, taking more than $2billion worldwide, while The Hurt Locker has grossed $10million.

The two directors, who were married from 1989 to 1991, are also going head to head at the March 7 Oscars, where their films have nine nominations apiece.

“A Single Man” star Colin Firth was named Best Actor and said in his acceptance speech: ‘What Tom Ford doesn’t know is I have the email in my outbox telling him I could not possibly do this. I was about to send this when a man came to repair my fridge… I don’t know what’s best for me so I would like to thank the fridge guy… All I know is don’t ever press “send” until you have had your fridge repaired.’

He went on to pay tribute to the designer-turned-director adding, ‘An encounter with Tom Ford is to come away feeling resuscitated, a little more worldly, better groomed, more fragrant, and more nominated than one has ever been before.’

British newcomer Carey Mulligan was awarded the best actress award for her role in coming-of-age drama “An Education.”

Christoph Waltz took home the best supporting actor award for his role in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds,” using his time in the podium to pay tribute to the director. “I was the best supported actor,” he said of his director and cast members including Brad Pitt. “No Quentin, no ‘Inglourious Basterds,’ no Col. Landau, no Christoph at the BAFTAs or anywhere else,” he told the packed house at the Royal Opera House.

The best supporting actress award for Mo’Nique was collected by “Precious” director Lee Daniels. “This award is a very big deal,” he said. “We didn’t know how this film was going to be received overseas.”

Clearly surprised by her win, “Twilight” star Kristen Stewart was named Orange Rising Star and said: ‘I have to thank all the fans of Twilight, for being the most devoted and attentive fans ever.’

Before the awards unwrapped, BAFTA chairman David Parfitt announced that BAFTA president Dickie Attenborough — currently recovering from an injury — will be replaced by Prince William, the British heir apparent who took over as head of the illustrious body with immediate effect, handing actress Vanessa Redgrave a BAFTA fellowship in recognition of a career in film. “The visual arts is such a great part of the fabric of this nation — from the days of Shakespeare to our own,” said the Prince. “I will do my level best to live up to my illustrious predecessors.”

A clearly emotional Redgrave, who was given a standing ovation when she was presented with the Bafta Fellowship award by Prince William and Uma Thurman curtseyed before the Prince after ascending the stage. She said: ‘Oh dear, I’m afraid you’ve done me in. Your Royal Highness, my dear, beautiful Uma, my dear Bafta friends and colleagues, yes you’ve done me in, you have absolutely done me in.’

Just minutes earlier, she has watched with the rest of the audience as the Baftas paid tribute to those who had passed away over the last year, including her daughter Natasha Richardson.

Britain’s top night in film attracted stars including Robert Pattinson, Clive Owen, Dustin Hoffman, Kate Winslet, Mickey Rourke, Marion Cotillard, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga, Claire Danes, Bonnie Wright, Jamie Campbell Bower, Quentin Tarantino, Kristen Scott Thomas, Tom Ford, and Matt Dillon to the ceremony and to the post-awards dinner at the Grosvenor House on London’s Park Lane.

Anna Kendrick poses with BAFTA winner Christoph Waltz