Gary Oldman was declared a film icon at this year’s Jameson Empire Awards and said it proved he was “still in the game”.
The south London-born star of Dracula, JFK and the Harry Potter films picked up his award from Colin Firth.
Speaking backstage, he said: “I’m not getting any younger but I’m still in the game.
“Jonathan Ross told me this was the ‘You’re still alive award’ but I’m not quite there yet.”
Mr Oldman said he did not know what the future held for the kind of British film industry he grew up in, saying: “The days of independent films with budgets of £4 or £5 million, I think those days are over.”
Earlier in the night Mr Firth was named best actor for his Oscar-winning role in The King’s Speech.
The Empire Hero award was presented to Keira Knightley by her Atonement co-star James McAvoy at the ceremony in the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London which was hosted by comic Dara O Briain.
Teenage star Chloe Moretz was the first big winner on the night.
The actress, who appeared in Kick-Ass and Let Me In, won the best newcomer award.
Among the stars on the red carpet before the ceremony were Sarah Harding, Jonathan Ross and model and actress Lily Cole.
The award for best comedy went to Chris Morris’s satirical story about feckless suicide bombers Four Lions.
The best actress award went to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo star Noomi Rapace.
The Last Exorcism won best horror with Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part One winning best sci-fi/fantasy.
Speaking after picking up his award, The Last Exorcism film-maker Eli Roth said: “This is wonderful because it’s voted for by the fans and fans have embraced me since day one”.
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo picked up its second award of the night when it won best thriller.
Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, admitted he was making the most of his time connected with the series which ends with the release of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part Two later this year.
He said: “I’m enjoying every minute of it and I’m looking forward to going on one of those world tours to meet the fans and thank them for supporting us all this time.
“It’s an ending of a kind but there is a lot more to come for us as well I think.”
The Inspiration award went to Edgar Wright, who also picked up best director for his film Scott Pilgrim vs The World. Jessica Hynes, who worked with Mr Wright on the Channel 4 comedy Spaced, said his career was an inspiration to young filmmakers.
She said: “His passion for film overrides everything. What he wants to do is make films that he loves and that is what he does.”
Comic book comedy Kick-Ass was crowned best British film and its writer Jane Goldman said the award meant a lot.
She said: “I love the Empire Awards. It is really different and laidback.
“It’s voted for by the readers so it really, really feels like it matters.
“Other awards are voted for by your peers, these awards are voted for by people who love cinema.”
Other awards handed out on the night included best film which went to sci-fi thriller Inception and the Done in 60 Seconds short film award which was won by 127 Hours.
Full list of winners
Best film – Inception
Best horror – The Last Exorcism
Best actor – Colin Firth
Best sci–fi/fantasy – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One
Best actress – Noomi Rapace
Best thriller – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Best director – Edgar Wright
Best newcomer – Chloe Moretz
Best British film – Kick–Ass
Best comedy – Four Lions
Done In 60 Seconds – 127 Hours
Empire Inspiration – Edgar Wright
Empire Hero – Keira Knightley
Empire Icon – Gary Oldman