The Artist was named best film, with its director Michel Hazanavicius taking top honors.

In the performing categories, the winners were Michael Shannon for Best Actor (Take Shelter); Meryl Streep for Best Actress (The Iron Lady), Albert Brooks for Best Supporting Actor (Drive); Melissa McCarthy for Best Supporting Actress (Bridesmaids); Jessica Chastain for Best Breakthrough Performer (The Tree Of Life, The Debt, The Help, Take Shelter, Coriolanus, and Texas Killing Fields) and the cast of Bridesmaids for Best Ensemble.