The Hurt Locker has beaten the highest grossing movie of all time in Avatar, to claim BAFTAs best film award.

As well as taking out the top award, the film also claimed a swag of other gongs including Best Director and best cinematography.

Director Kathryn Bigelow was the first woman to take the award and when collecting her prize from Dustin Hoffman she was overwhelmed with emotion.

“This is so unbelievable, we’re just so deeply honoured and humbled. It is beyond our wildest imagination.”’ she said.

In the actors category Colin Firth and Carey Mulligan took out the top honours.

Firth won the leading actor prize for his role in A Single Man, while newcomer Mulligan was recognized as the leading actress for her part in An Education.

Christoph Waltz won the award for best supporting actor for his role in the Quinton Tarintino movie Inglourious Basterds.

Here is a full list of the BAFTA winners:

Film – The Hurt Locker

British Film – Fish Tank

Director – Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

Actor – Colin Firth, A Single Man

Actress – Carey Mulligan, An Education

Supporting Actor – Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Supporting Actress – Mo’nique, Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Rising Star – Kristen Stewart

British Debut – Director Duncan Jones, Moon

Original Screenplay – The Hurt Locker

Adapted Screenplay – Up in the Air

Music – Michael Giacchino, Up

Cinematography – The Hurt Locker

Editing – The Hurt Locker

Production Design – Avatar

Costume Design – The Young Victoria

Sound – The Hurt Locker

Visual Effects – Avatar

Makeup and Hair – The Young Victoria

Animated Feature – Up