The final instalment of the Harry Potter film franchise has won the top prize at Britain’s 2012 Empire Awards.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 scooped best film and best director for David Yates, with many of the film's cast attending the ceremony.

Gary Oldman won best actor for his role in political thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Oldman won the best actor prize after losing out to France's Jean Dujardin, who starred in The Artist, at both the Oscars and the Baftas.

Oldman's film went on to win best British film and best thriller.

And The Inbetweeners Movie beat Bridesmaids to pick up best comedy.

Blockbusters Thor and The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn also won.

Olivia Colman got best actress for hard-hitting English drama Tyrannosaur.

Director Tim Burton, whose films include Edward Scissorhands, Sweeney Todd and the 1989 version of Batman, picked up the Empire Legend award.

Michael Fassbender, star of X-Men: First Class, was given the Empire Hero prize, BBC News reported.

The Empire Awards are voted for entirely by the public.