27 February 2012 Last updated at 06:46

Oscars 2012: The winners

French actor Jean Dujardin has picked up the best actor award for silent black and white movie The Artist. The film picked up five awards out of the eleven for which it was nominated.

Meryl Streep thanked the Academy "for this inexplicably wonderful career", as she picked up the best actress award for her role as former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. It is her third Oscar out of 17 nominations.

An emotional Octavia Spencer burst into tears after winning the best supporting actress Oscar for her role in The Help. The actress also won the same award at the Baftas two weeks ago.

Canadian actor Christopher Plummer became the oldest Oscar winner at 82 for his role as a bereaved father coming out as a gay man in the film Beginners.

Film-maker Michel Hazanavicius took home the best director award for The Artist. He was joined by his wife Berenice Bejo - herself nominated for supporting actress for the film. Describing himself as the "happiest director in the world", he also thanked the film's canine star, Uggie the dog.

The cast of The Artist rounded off a hugely successful evening, which also saw the film take original score, with best picture. It is only the second time a silent film has been presented with the Academy's top prize.

Entertainment & Arts

Oscars 2012: The winners

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