Clint Eastwood's Japan-focused World War II drama 'Letters From Iwo Jima' was named Best Film of 2006 by the American National Board of Review of Motion Pictures yesterday.
Martin Scorsese was named Best Director for 'The Departed', which was the biggest winner, with three awards, including a place on the top 10 Best Film list and a Best Ensemble Cast award.
The Pedro Almodovar-directed 'Volver' took Best Foreign Film, while Davis Guggenheim's 'An Inconvenient Truth' won Best Documentary and 'Cars' was named Best Animated Film.
The Best Actor award went to Forest Whitaker for his role as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in 'The Last King of Scotland'.
Helen Mirren won Best Actress for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in 'Queen Elizabeth'.
These are the first major prizes of a film award season that culminates in the Oscars.
