LONDON (AP) – The docudrama ”Touching the Void,” which tells the true story of a harrowing mountaineering expedition, was named best film at the 31st annual Evening Standard British Film Awards.
Director Kevin Macdonald’s film beat romantic comedy ”Love Actually” for the award Sunday and has been nominated for a BAFTA Outstanding British Film award.
”Touching the Void” recounts Joe Simpson and Simon Yates’ successful 1985 ascent of the 21,000-foot Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes, and their perilous descent.
Paul Bettany took the best actor award for his performances in the seafaring epic ”Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” and the drama ”The Heart of Me.”
Emma Thompson won best actress for ”Love Actually,” while her co-star, Bill Nighy, was named winner of The Peter Sellers Award for Comedy.
Director Michael Winterbottom received the inaugural Alexander Walker Special Award, named after the Evening Standard newspaper’s veteran film critic, who died last year.