Helen Mirren wins top acting award

Helen Mirren was tonight named best actress at the Venice Film Festival for her performance in The Queen.

The 61-year-old looked thrilled to win the prize at a ceremony in the Italian city.

She plays the British monarch in Stephen Frears’ film, in the days following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

The win is certain to boost Dame Helen’s chances of Oscar glory.

Ben Affleck was the surprise winner of the best actor prize for his role in Hollywoodland.

The Queen failed to pick up the Golden Lion for best film - the honour went instead to Chinese entry Sanxia Haoren (Still Life).

The best director prize was awarded to veteran French filmmaker Alain Resnais for the film Private Fears in Public Places.

The Queen did win one further award: best screenplay for Peter Morgan.

Collecting his prize, Morgan quipped: “Thank you Tony Blair for timing your political disintegration with the release of our film.”