Leonardo DiCaprio may have the backing of his Titanic co-star Kate Winslet in his bid for Oscar glory, but he lost out to British veteran Tom Courtenay for an award chosen by the UK’s leading film critics.

The 78-year-old was named actor of the year for his role in British drama 45 Years at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards.

Kate was named supporting actress of the year at the Critics’ Circle awards after playing Joanna Hoffman in the biopic Steve Jobs, a role which could also earn her second Oscar.

Kate Winslet attending the London Critics' Circle Film Awards at the May Fair Hotel, Central London. Kate Winslet was named supporting actress of the year (Jonathan Brady/PA)

 

“I really can’t believe it because it has been a very strong year,” she said about her Academy Award nomination.

“No one has been a shoo-in. People have been flitting in and out of this best supporting actress category for quite some time.

“They were like the golden tickets this year. They were really very coveted spots, particularly in this category, so I’m absolutely thrilled. I loved the experience of making it so it’s ultimate cherry on the cake to be nominated.”

George Miller’s post-apocalyptic thriller Mad Max: Fury Road was named film of the year at the 36th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, while George received the director of the year award.

Sir Kenneth Branagh attending the London Critics' Circle Film Awards at the May Fair Hotel, Central LondonSir Kenneth Branagh received the special Dilys Powell Award ( Jonathan Brady/PA)

 

The film’s star Tom Hardy was named British/Irish actor of the year for his work in 2015 including The Revenant and as the Kray twins in Legend.

Marital drama 45 Years equalled Mad Max’s tally of three awards, including British/Irish film of the year and honours for Courtenay and Oscar nominee Charlotte Rampling, who was named actress of the year.

Mark Rylance received the supporting actor honour for Steven Spielberg’s Bridge Of Spies, and Sir Kenneth Branagh received the Dilys Powell Award for excellence in film, which was presented by Dame Judi Dench.

Organisers extended the British categories at this year’s awards to include Irish talent, with Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell and Michael Fassbender among the nominees.

Maisie Williams poses for photographers at the Critics Circle Awards at a central London venue, London, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016.Maisie Williams got an award for her role in The Falling (Jonathan Short/Invision)

 

The awards are voted for by 140 members of the Critics’ Circle Film Section.

Here is the full list…

Film of the year – Mad Max: Fury Road
British/Irish film of the year – 45 Years
Actor of the year – Tom Courtenay (45 Years)
Actress of the year – Charlotte Rampling (45 Years)
Supporting actor of the year – Mark Rylance (Bridge Of Spies)
Supporting actress of the year – Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)
Director of the year: George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Screenwriter of the year – Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy (Spotlight)
British/Irish actor of the year – Tom Hardy (Legend, London Road, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Revenant)
British/Irish actress of the year – Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn, Lost River)
Young British/Irish performer of the year – Maisie Williams (The Falling)
Documentary of the year – Amy
Dilys Powell award for excellence in film – Sir Kenneth Branagh
Foreign language film of the year – The Look Of Silence
Philip French award for breakthrough British/Irish filmmaker – John Maclean (Slow West)
British/Irish short film of the year: Stutterer
Technical achievement award: cinematographer Ed Lachman (Carol)