"The Artist" won big at the Cesar Awards, picking up six awards at the French equivalent of the Oscars, The Wrap reported

The black and white silent film won best picture, best actress and best director at the annual ceremony.

However, star Jean Dujardin, considered a favorite for a best actor award at Oscars, lost the acting prize to Omar Sy for "Intouchables."

Though "The Artist" is better known stateside, "Intouchables," is a feel-good comedy that has shattered box office records in France. Sy plays a nurse who cares for a rich quadriplegic.

His co-star Berenice Bejo was luckier. Nominated in the best actress category, Bejo beat out contenders such as Leïla Bekhti ("La Source Des Femmes") and Karin Viard ("Polisse") for her performance as a wide-eyed ingenue during the dawn of the sound era.

The picture was shot in Hollywood, but starred French actors and was directed by French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius.

Hazanavicius won the best director award.

In the supporting categories, Michel Blanc won an award for his performance in the political drama "The Minister" and Carmen Maura was honored for her work in the Gallic comedy "Service Entrance."

Roman Polanski, who has made France his home since fleeing the United States on sexual abuse charges over three decades ago, picked up an award for adapted screenplay for "Carnage." He shared the award with playwright Yasmina Reza.