Michael Haneke's Amourwas a big winner at the annual European Film Academy's awards December 1, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Haneke's Palme d'Or winning elderly drama picked up a quartet of the evening's top plaudits.The film picked up the evening's top award, the best European Film 2012, at the culmination of an evening's prize-giving.

Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura and Amira Casar presented the award to Haneke for Amour. Haneke thanked everyone again, saying he didn't expect to be back on the stage again so soon after picked up the best director plaudit.

Earlier Mads Mikkelson presented the evening's best director plaudit to Haneke for his study in ageing and death.

Jean-Louis Trintignant won the best European actor nod for his turn in Amour while his co-star Emmanuelle Riva picked up the evening's best actress award for her turn.