Dee's back for film awards

Jack Dee will host the Evening Standard British Film Awards for the third time running next month.

On the 30th anniversary of the awards that exclusively celebrate British achievements in film, the comedian and actor will take the stage at The Savoy hotel.

Fresh from a year that included a sell-out tour and a fortnight in Siberia (where he survived on a diet of "reindeer, reindeer and more reindeer"), Dee is delighted to perform the somewhat warmer task of lording it over the 400 guests at the British film industry's most eagerly anticipated event on 2 February.

Having won the Celebrity Big Brother prize himself, it will make a refreshing change to oversee the presentation of the celebrated silver Eros statuettes.

Although 2002 was a tough year, with several sources of pan-European film funding disappearing, it did not stop many remarkable movies shining through.

If the lion's share of publicity was garnered by the latest James Bond movie, Die Another Day - with which Bond celebrates 40 years of battling the bad guys intent on world domination - there are plenty of other movies and stars to celebrate.

The famous boy wizard continued to charm and delight audiences in the second film of J K Rowling's series, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, while we saw strong work from veteran directors Ken Loach (Sweet Sixteen) and Mike Leigh (All Or Nothing). A clutch of comedies - including About A Boy, Bend It Like Beckham, 24 Hour Party People and Once Upon A Time In The Midlands - showed that whatever the situation, Brits have not lost their sense of humour.

In such a harsh climate, it is particularly difficult for new talent to emerge. But despite the lack of funding several newcomers stood out this year, from actors Parminder Nagra, who starred as the struggling female footballer in Bend It Like Beckham, and Martin Compston (Sweet Sixteen), to writers Neil Hunter and Tom

Hunsinger, whose screenplay for The Lawless Heart was a model of inventive construction, and first-time director Asif Kapadia, who was behind the surprising and provocative The Warrior.

Also jostling for attention were a number of established actors, including Timothy Spall for his hangdog cabbie in All Or

Nothing, Michael Caine as a jaded British journalist in The Quiet American, Pierce Brosnan, who delivered his best 007 to date, and Jude Law, who was virtually unrecognisable in Road To Perdition.

Among the women there was Samantha Morton, who showed her versatility by appearing in both Minority Report and Morvern Callar, Jennifer Ehle (Possession) and Lesley Manville (All Or Nothing).

Judicious marketing and inspired selection helped major companies Working Title Pictures and Entertainment Films maintain their dominance in the marketplace.

They now form the bedrock of what is optimistically called the British Film Industry.

Eight accolades marking the outstanding achievements of 2002 will be presented, including a special award in recognition of a major contribution to British film.

The ceremony will be screened on Carlton Television on 5 February at 11.30pm.