Winslet wins prestigious French award

Actress Kate Winslet is to receive an honorary award next month from organisers of the French equivalent of the Academy Awards.

The versatile 36-year-old now on French screens in Roman Polanski’s clashing-couples film 'Carnage' will receive the honorary Cesar at the ceremony on February 24.

France’s Academy of Cinematic Arts and Techniques presented nominations for the 37th Cesar Awards ceremony today.

Child-protection drama 'Polisse' led with 13 nominations, while silent, black-and-white film 'The Artist' garnered 11.

France’s National Cinematic Centre has said French cinemas sold 211 million tickets last year – a 45-year high, and a 4% increase from 2010.