In The Loop scoops Scottish Baftas hat-trick

THE political satire In The Loop was the toast of this year's Scottish Baftas after scooping a hat-trick of awards last night.

The 2009 ceremony saw Peter Capaldi, who starred as spin doctor Malcolm Tucker, win the category Best Acting Performance in Film – although he was unable to turn up for the event.

The directing prize went to Armando Iannucci, while writers for the movie – a spin-off from the BBC TV series The Thick of It – were also rewarded for their efforts after picking up the writing in film award.

Last night Iannucci said: "I've always wanted to make a funny film. The sound of everyone laughing in a cinema is great."

Iannucci, who collected Capaldi's award on his behalf, said the actor was away promoting In The Loop in America.

He said: "He was really gutted to find he couldn't come tonight. He really wanted to and he'd be distraught to find he had missed the great Bill Forsyth."

Big names from film and TV graced the red carpet at the Glasgow Science Centre, with guests including Robert Carlyle, Gregor Fisher, Kevin MacDonald, Stella Gonet, Muriel Gray, Isla Traquair, Daniela Nardini, David Hayman, Aggie McKenzie, Kirsty Wark and Jon Snow.

Lorraine Kelly hosted the ceremony which also saw film star Robert Carlyle beat Dr Who actor David Tennant to scoop the award for the Best Acting Performance in Television Male.

Carlyle won the award for The Unloved – a drama about a young girl growing up in a children's home.

Comic revenge thriller Crying with Laughter won the award for Best Feature Film, while Daniela Nardini collected the prize for Best Acting Performance in Television Female.

Other big winners included Flock for the new 2009 category Best Game.

The entertainment programme Bafta went to the Rab C Nesbit Christmas Special and Terry Pratchett. Living with Alzheimer's won best factual series.

Special awards this year were given to Bill Forsyth for Outstanding Contribution to Film and Sir Jeremy Isaacs, who was honoured for outstanding contribution to broadcasting.

David Jones, co-founder of Rockstar North and founder of Realtime Worlds, won Outstanding International Achievement in Digital Media, while Patrick Doyle was awarded the Robert McCann Prize for Craft.

The awards were presented before an audience of more than 500 people with the ceremony broadcast live on the internet.

Helen Anderson, director of Bafta Scotland, said: "This was a great night for the industry, demonstrating the breadth of talent the country has.

"I hope the awards have inspired the winners, nominees and indeed new talent to continue making excellent work."

This year's awards saw the multimedia category split out into three new digital awards. Sponsored by Scottish Enterprise and presented by its chief executive, Lena Wilson. The new awards were for best game, web, won by Blipfoto.com and interactive, won by Cybraphon.

Lena Wilson, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: "Scotland's digital media sector has delivered success after success, with new and existing businesses demonstrating our country's creative talent around the world. We have a lot to be proud of and a fantastic foundation of achievements to build on."

WINNERS ARE…

Best Acting Performance in Film: Peter Capaldi, In The Loop

Best Acting Performance in Television Female: Daniela Nardini, New Town

Best Director: Armando Ianucci, In The Loop

Best Writing Team: Armando Ianucci, Jesse Armstrong and Simon Blackwell, In The Loop

Best Acting Performance on Television: Robert Carlyle, The Unloved

Best Feature Film: Crying with Laughter

Best Entertainment Programme: New Town

Outstanding Contribution to Film: Bill Forsyth

Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting:

Sir Jeremy Isaacs

Outstanding International Achievement in Digital Media: David Jones, co-founder of Rockstar North and founder of Realtime Worlds

Robert McCann Prize for cCraft: Patrick Doyle

Multimedia Digital Awards for Best Game: Flock

Best Web: Blipfoto.com

Best Interactive: Cybraphon