Kate Winslet and Slumdog Millionaire made it a night to remember for the British film community at the Golden Globes.
The star scooped two awards including best actress in a dramatic film, during a night that also saw success for fellow British actress Sally Hawkins for her role in Mike Leigh's Happy-Go-Lucky.
But it was the story of how improvised Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire that proved the biggest winner - taking home four trophies including best dramatic film.
Eyes will now turn to whether the success can be replicated at next month's Oscars.
The ceremony took place in front of an array of stars at the Beverley Hilton hotel in Hollywood.
There was early success for Winslet when she was announced winner of best supporting actress for her role as a former concentration camp guard in The Reader.
"You have to forgive me as I have a habit of not winning," the actress quipped as she rolled off a list of names she wished to thank.
But her statement proved not to be true as she was called to the stage a second time to pick up best actress in a dramatic role for Revolutionary Road, which saw her reunited with her Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio.
Sally Hawkins ensured it was a good night for British female talent when she picked up a gong for best performance in a musical or comedy. But Happy-Go-Lucky was unable to replicate the success of its lead, losing out to Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona in the best comedy film category.
Fresh from receiving a handful of awards at the Critics' Choice Awards last week, Slumdog Millionaire continued to storm Hollywood. It took home the prestigious title of best dramatic film. In so doing it triumphed over Winslet's Revolutionary Road and The Reader, Frost/Nixon and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
There was also awards for its director Danny Boyle, screenplay writer Simon Beaufoy and musical composer AR Rahman.
Collecting his trophy, Boyle thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organisers of the awards. He added: "Your mad, pulsating affection for our film is much appreciated."
Elsewhere there was success for Micky Rourke who won best actor in a dramatic film fore The Wrestler and Stephen Speilberg who picked up the Cecil B DeMille Award for lifetime achievement.
The late Heath Ledger, who died of an overdose in New York last January, received a posthumous standing ovation after being named best supporting actor for his role as the Joker in Batman movie The Dark Night.
THE WINNERS:
Film:
Best Picture, Drama: Slumdog Millionaire
Best Picture, Musical or Comedy: Vicky Christina Barcelona
Best Actor, Drama: Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler
Best Actress, Drama: Kate Winslet, Revolutionary Road
Best Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Actor, Musical or Comedy: Colin Farrell, In Bruges
Best Actress, Musical or Comedy: Sally Hawkins, Happy-Go-Lucky
Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Best Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Best Foreign Language Film: Waltz With Bashir
Best Animated Film: Wall-E
Best Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Original Score: AR Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
Best Original Song: The Wrestler (performed and written by Bruce Springsteen), The Wrestler
Television:
Best Series, Drama: Mad Men
Best Actor, Drama: Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment
Best Actress, Drama: Anna Paquin, True Blood
Best Series, Musical or Comedy: 30 Rock
Best Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Best Actress, Musical or Comedy: Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Best Miniseries or Movie: John Adams
Best Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Laura Linney, John Adams
Best Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Paul Giammatti, John Adams
Best Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Laura Dern, Recount
Best Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Tom Wilkinson, John Adams
Cecil B DeMille Award: Steven Spielberg.
