MUMBAI: Gods, Men and Roman Polanski came out winners at the 16th annual Lumiere Awards, France‘s version of the Golden Globes on Friday night.

While Of Gods and Men was named best film of the year, Polanski earned the best director title for The Ghost Writer that also earned the veteran a best screenplay award.

Scott Thomas stole the spotlight to receive the best actress prize for her role in Gilles Pacquet-Brenner‘s Sarah‘s Key. Michael Lonsdale was named best actor for his tear-jerking role in Of Gods and Men.

French actor Francois Berleand presided over the ceremony that took place at Paris‘ City Hall the Hotel de Ville that also had Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe making a special appearance.

Mahamat-Saleh Haroun‘s A Screaming Man was adjudged the best Francophone title outside of France while TV5Monde‘s big prize went to Olivier Masset-Depasse‘s immigration drama Illegal.

The Lumiere Awards are voted upon by foreign press correspondents based in Paris and mark the start of awards season in the country.