Photo Source: The Weinstein Company
Additionally, Michael Hazanavicius, who helmed the silent black-and-white movie, was named best director by the group, which met Sunday in New York to select its 12th annual awards in 15 categories. The movie also nabbed a third honor, best use of music, for composer Ludovic Bource.
Sunday was a big day for the movie, which also recognized by the American Film Institute and the Boston Film Critics.
Meanwhile, "Take Shelter's" Michael Shannon was named best actor for his role in the apocalyptic drama, while "The Iron Lady's" Meryl Streep was named best actress for her portrayal of former U.K. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
A complete list of honorees follows.
FILM
"The Artist"
DIRECTOR
Michael Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
ACTOR
Michael Shannon, "Take Shelter"
ACTRESS
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Albert Brooks, "Drive"
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Emmanuel Lubezki, "The Tree of Life"
SCREENPLAY
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"
FOREIGN LANGUAGE PICTURE
"A Separation"
DOCUMENTARY
"Cave of Forgotten Dreams"
ANIMATED FEATURE
"The Adventures of Tintin"
USE OF MUSIC
Ludovic Bource, "The Artist"
BREAKOUT PERFORMER
Jessica Chastain, "The Tree of Life," "The Help," "The Debt," "Take Shelter"
DEBUT AS DIRECTOR
Joe Cornish, "Attack the Block"
ENSEMBLE CAST
"Bridesmaids"
TOP PICTURES OF 2011 (alphabetical)
"The Artist" (The Weinstein Co.)
"The Descendants" (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
"Drive" (Film District)
"The Help" (DreamWorksPictures)
"Hugo" (Paramount Pictures)
"Melancholia" (Magnolia Pictures)
"Midnight in Paris" (Sony Pictures Classics)
"Take Shelter" (Sony Pictures Classics)
"The Tree of Life" (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
"War Horse" (Dreamworks Pictures)
– The Hollywood Reporter
