The fact that James Cameron’s sci-fi behemoth Avatar has dominated the international box office since its release in December to become the highest grossing film of all time was enough for many to predict that it would also be victorious come Oscar night. But, although it led the field in the visual achievement categories, winning Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects, that’s where its Academy dreams ended. And it was Avatar’s closest rival, the small-budget Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker, that dominated proceedings, taking a total of six awards including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay (for Mark Boal) and Best Director for Kathryn Bigelow – who made history in the process, as it’s the first time a woman has ever won this particular category. The film also won Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing and Best Film Editing.

Elsewhere, the acting categories held few surprises. As expected, Jeff Bridges won Best Actor at the fifth time of asking for his role in Crazy Heart, with Sandra Bullock taking home Best Actress for American football drama The Blind Side. Best Supporting Actor went to Christoph Waltz for his memorable performance in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, while Best Supporting Actress was won by Mo’Nique for Precious: Based on the Novel Push By Sapphire.

Precious also picked up another award, with screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher being honoured with the Best Adapted Screenplay statuette, and the critically-acclaimed Disney/Pixar masterpiece Up won Best Animated Feature and Best Score. And there was a ripple of surprise in the Foreign Language Category when the front runners A Prophet (directed by Jacques Audiard) and The White Ribbon (directed by Michael Haneke) lost out to Argentinian crime drama The Secret in Their Eyes, directed by Juan Jose Campanella.

For a full list of winners visit the official Oscars website at www.oscars.org