Why are the Golden Globe Awards so important in the Oscars race

A.� The industry accepts that the Golden Globes are a pre-curser for the bigger and grander Oscars, which will be announced at a glittering ceremony in Los Angeles in March. Almost from the start of the year, Hollywood begins gearing up for the Academy Awards, and the Golden Globes Awards,�for films and actors chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Assocation, are part of the preparations. This year's winners are now being tipped as Oscar candidates at the very least, and more likely winners.

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Q.� Who won what

A.� The Best Picture: A Beautiful Mind

Best Actress: Sissy Spacek, In the Bedroom

Best Actor: Russell Crowe, A Beautiful Mind

Best Musical or Comedy: Moulin Rouge

Best Actress, Musical or Comedy: Nicole Kidman, Moulin Rouge

Best Actor, Musical or Comedy: Gene Hackman, The Royal Tenenbaums

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Connelly, A Beautiful Mind

Best Supporting Actor: Jim Broadbent, Iris

Best Director: Robert Altman, Gosford Park

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Q.� Who is likely to win at the Oscars

A.� Of the Oscars hopefuls in wide release, A Beautiful Mind is the favourite so far. It has held its place in the US Top Ten for several weeks, and has made over $75 million to date. It stars Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek and is a domestic drama, which has had overwhelming reviews. It was made for a pittance but wowed audiences at the Sundance Festival last year, where it was picked for distribution by Miramax. The studio is heavily promoting it in the run-up to the Oscars, and hopes to repeat the success of Shakespeare in Love and The Cider House Rules. The story surrounds the murder of a teenage son.

The American Film Institute, meanwhile, recently held its first awards ceremony which has attracted considerable interest within the industry.

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring was named best picture by the AFI. Sissy Spacek was named best actress of the year for her role in In the Bedroom and Denzil Washington best actor for his performance as a corrupt policeman in Training Day. Robert Altman was named best director for Gosford Park, the period drama with a large cast of British actors.

In New York, the country's critics chose David Lynch's Mulholland Drive as the best picture ahead of Gosford Park and The Fellowship of the Ring. In contrast to the AFI awards, this was the 36th such ceremony. Robert Altman won best director for Gosford Park, and the film's writer, Julian Fellowes, won the best screenplay prize. Helen Mirren took best supporting actress for her role in the same film.

Naomi Watts won best actress for Mulholland Drive and Gene Hackman best actor for The Royal Tenebaums. Steve Buscemi took best supporting actor for his part in Ghost World. The awards ceremony was dedicated to former New Yorker magazine movie critic Pauline Kael, who died last September.

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by Katharine MacColl