Christopher Nolan’s outer space adventure Interstellar was the big winner at the Empire Awards, as it picked up three prizes including best film.

The British filmmaker was also named best director and took home the Inspiration award at the ceremony at the Grosvenor Park hotel in London.

Christopher Nolan and wife Emma Thomas with the Best Film Award for Interstellar, Best Director and Empire Inspiration Award,
Christopher Nolan with his three awards (Ian West/PA)

Other winners at 2015 Jameson Empire Award included best actress Rosamund Pike, former Doctor Who star and best female newcomer Karen Gillan and Kingsman: The Secret Service actor Taron Egerton, scooping the best male newcomer prize.

“This is so cool! It is exciting because I genuinely did not think I was going to win it because everyone else in the category should have won. It’s a shock and I feel overwhelmed,” Karen said.

Karen Gillan who won best newcomer (Ian West/PA)
Karen Gillan who won best newcomer (Ian West/PA)

Kingsman: The Secret Service, directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring Colin Firth, Mark Strong and Sir Michael Caine, won best British film.

The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch as wartime codebreaker Alan Turing, was named best thriller, while Paddington was voted best comedy.

Peter Capaldi, who voiced Mr Curry in Paddington, said the film spoke to people because “it has heart”.

Stars including Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe attended the star-studded ceremony, which was hosted by James Nesbitt.

James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe (right) presenting the Best British Film Award during the Jameson Empire Film Awards 2015
James McAvoy and Daniel Radcliffe at the Empire Awards (Ian West/PA)