Robert Pattinson Wins Film Star of the Year at Coveted Richard Attenborough Film Awards

The Richard Attenborough 2012 UK Regional Film Awards have just voted Robert Pattinson as "Film Star of the Year." Named after Richard Attenborough (make that Lord Attenborough), this award by the Regional Film Awards (RAFAs) is an amazing accolade for 25-year-old Pattinson. It also nips any idea that the UK hasn't embraced the young actor as much as the U.S had - stunningly in the bud.

The Best "Film Star" Award, traditionally voted for by the public at the RAFAs is a confirmation - if any were needed - that Pattinson is just as staggeringly popular in his home country as he is abroad. Which is startling really, since Rob has actually spent very little time in the UK in recent years. Relentless filming and promoting for the Twilight Saga movies, Water For Elephants, Remember me, Bel Ami and Cosmopolis, has kept Pattinson away from visiting his mother-country much. But clearly the UK loves its own as this award proves. Yes, the message from home reads loud and clear: "You're one of us Rob, and we love you too!"

The draw of these awards is three-fold. Combining both prestige and popularity - the RAFAs are voted for in part, by critics and also by the public. The third string to the bow of these awards being, of course, Lord Attenborough himself.

Critics voted the much-lauded The Artist with "Best Film," with Michel Hazanavicius - the film's director - also winning for with "Best Screenwriter," along with Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. "Best Actor" went to Michael Fassbender for Shame and, actress Meryl Streep claimed "Best Actress" for The Iron Lady.

The public, voting in what are now the sixth RAFAs, voted Robert Pattinson,"Film Star of the Year" for his performance in Breaking Dawn Part 1. One in the eye for James Franco then. Gary Oldman, curiously, won, "British Film Star of the Year," which does beg the question what on earth do people think R-Pattz is? The UK public voted Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, "British Film of the Year," and surprisingly the "Most Anticipated Film of 2012" Award went to the Dark Knight Rises.

The RAFAs are dedicated to Lord Richard Attenborough for his outstanding contribution to British cinema. A film director, actor and director of many years standing, he won two Academy Awards for Gandhi in 1982, and has also won - amongst many others - four British Film and Television Awards (BAFTAs) and three Golden Globes. Hugely respected by his peers, he is probably known best to casual movie-goers as that actor in Jurassic Park, but actually his work spans many years and encompasses some of the best of British Cinema - notably the 1947 film Brighton Rock.

Looks like Robert Pattinson is in great company. "Film Star of the Year" - and it's only February!

Source:http://entertainment.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981081989