Star Wars & Mad Max rule at Empire Awards in London

The latest Star Wars movie and Mad Max's big screen return were the toast of the Empire Awards in London on Sunday (20Mar16).

Between them, the two sci-fi blockbusters picked up nine trophies.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens claimed five, including Best Sci-fi/Fantasy Movie and a Best Director award for J.J. Abrams, while Mad Max: Fury Road's four-gong haul included honors for make-up, costumes and production design.

But both films lost out on the Best Film award - that accolade went to The Revenant, while Matt Damon picked up the Best Actor award for The Martian and Swedish actress Alicia Vikander followed up her Best Supporting Actress Oscar by claiming the Best Actress honor for The Danish Girl.

Other Empire Awards winners included Spectre (Best Thriller), Spy (Best Comedy), and The Hallow (Best Horror Film). The latest James Bond movie, Spectre, also picked up Best British Film.

Actor and moviemaker Paddy Considine was also honored with the Empire Inspiration award by Shane Meadows, who was feted for his cult TV series This is England '90.

And Stanley Tucci was presented with the Empire Hero award.

There was a moving moment during the prizegiving when late actor Alan Rickman was posthumously honored with the film magazine's Legend award.

And there were also trophies for acclaimed documentary Amy, Inside Out and comedy The Big Short.