From Gardian Unlimited:

Another awards ceremony, another award for Atonement. The plush Ian McEwan adaptation was last night named best film at the Richard Attenborough film awards, a newly-named event that is voted for by UK regional journalists.

For good measure, Atonement also picked up prizes for best film-maker (Joe Wright), best actor (James McAvoy) and screenwriter (Christopher Hampton), further buttressing its status as one of the frontrunners for next month’s Oscars. But in the latest snub to the film’s star, Keira Knightley missed out on the actress award, which went to Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Initially tipped as an Oscar favourite, Knightley failed to pick up an Academy Award nomination.