'A Beautiful Mind' took the awards for Best Film and Best Director at the 74th Annual Academy Awards which took place in Los Angeles last night.
Although surrounded by controversy in recent weeks, 'A Beautiful Mind', based on the story of schizophrenic maths genius John Forbes Nash, won four awards in total with Jennifer Connelly taking the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and Akiva Goldsman winning in the category of Best Adapted Screenplay.
Denzel Washington won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of a corrupt policeman in the film 'Training Day'. A five-time nominee and Best Supporting Actor winner in 1990 for 'Glory', Washington is the first African American to win the Best Actor award since Sidney Poitier in 1964.
Poitier was present last night to receive an honorary Oscar for "his extraordinary performances and unique presence" on and off screen.
Halle Berry became the first ever African American woman to win the Best Actress award for her part in the crime thriller 'Monster's Ball'. In an emotional speech she accepted the Oscar on behalf of "every nameless, faceless woman of colour for whom the door has been opened."
Jim Broadbent won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as Iris Murdoch's devoted husband John Bayley in British film 'Iris'.
The first ever Animated Feature Oscar went to heartwarming fairytale 'Shrek', which was up against 'Monsters, Inc' and 'Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius'.
There was disappointment for 'Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' which was nominated in 13 categories but won in just four: Make-up, Cinematography, Visual Effects and Original Score.
Baz Luhrmann's musical fantasy 'Moulin Rouge', although nominated for seven Oscars, only took home two awards - Costume Design and Art Direction.
Highlights from the 74th Annual Academy Awards will be shown on RTE 1 tonight at 10.20pm.
