Bafta win boosts Oscar hunt for Ben Affleck's Argo

Iran hostage crisis drama Argo won the best film prize at Britain's Bafta awards in a further boost for US actor-director Ben Affleck's movie ahead of the Oscars later this month.

At a celebrity-packed ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London, Affleck also won the best director award, highlighting the fact that he has been snubbed in the same category at the Academy Awards.

Daniel Day-Lewis boosted his status as Oscar favourite as he was named best actor for his title role in Steven Spielberg's Lincoln, while 85-year-old French screen legend Emmanuelle Riva won best actress for Amour.

Anne Hathaway won best supporting actress for her performance in the musical Les Miserables, while Christoph Waltz won best supporting actor for his role in Quentin Tarantino's blood-soaked western Django Unchained.

The awards are widely viewed as a bellwether for the Oscars on February 24.

Les Miserables won the most awards, with four - including Hathaway's, plus prizes for production design, sound and hair and make-up - followed by Argo with three, also including editing.