The 2010 Saturn Awards - 10 wins for Avatar

On Thursday night, June 23rd, 2010, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films hosted the 36th edition of their Saturn Awards. The Saturn Awards are given to genre productions in film, television and theatre. They have four Best Picture awards for the categories of science-fiction, fantasy, horror and action/adventure/thriller. They also have Best International Film and Best Animation Film categories that may include each of the four genres.

To no one's surprise, Avatar came away as the night's big winner, taking 10 awards including Best Science Fiction Film, Best Director and Writer (James Cameron) and each of the main acting awards. James Cameron was also the recipient of the Academy's special Visionary Award. Avatar could just as easily have won the Best Picture awards in the Fantasy, Action/Adventure/Thriller and Animated categories had it been considered for them, but it doesn't appear that the Academy allows for that kind of overlap. The other Best Picture winners were Watchmen (Best Fantasy Film), Drag Me To Hell (Best Horror Film), Monsters Vs. Aliens (Best Animation), District 9 (Best International Film) and Inglourious Basterds (Best Action/Adventure/Thriller).

In recognition of the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, director Irvin Kershner was honoured with the Academy's Life Career Award. "Lando Calrissian" actor Billy Dee Williams read a letter from George Lucas, before presenting the award to Kershner’s son, who accepted on his father’s behalf.

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Complete list of winners for the 36th Annual Saturn Awards

Best Science Fiction Film
Avatar

Best Fantasy Film
Watchmen

Best Horror Film
Drag Me To Hell

Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film
Inglourious Basterds

Best Actor
Sam Worthington (Avatar)

Best Actress
Zoe Saldana (Avatar)

Best Supporting Actor
Stephen Lang (Avatar)

Best Supporting Actress
Sigourney Weaver (Avatar)

Best Performance by a Younger Actor
Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones)

Best Director
James Cameron (Avatar)

Best Writer
James Cameron (Avatar)

Best Music
James Horner (Avatar)

Best Costume
Michael Wilkinson (Watchmen)

Best Make-Up
Barney Burman, Mindy Hall, Joel Harlow  (Star Trek)

Best Production Design
Rick Carter, Robert Stromberg  (Avatar)

Best Special Effects
Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham, Andrew R. Jones (Avatar)

Best International Film
District 9

Best Animation Film
Monsters vs. Aliens

Best Television Series
Lost

Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series
Breaking Bad

Best Presentation on Television
Torchwood: Children of Earth 

Best Actor on Television
Josh Holloway (Lost)

Best Actress on Television
Anna Torv  (Fringe)

Best Supporting Actor on Television:
Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)

Best Supporting Actress on Television
Julie Benz (Dexter)

Guest Starring Role on Television
Leonard Nimoy (Fringe)

Best DVD Release
Nothing But the Truth

Best DVD Television Release
Lost (The Complete Fifth Season)

Best DVD Special Edition
Watchman: The Ultimate Cut

Best DVD Collection
Star Trek Original Motion Picture Collection

Best Local Stage Production: Fantasy/Musical
Mary Poppins  (Ahmanson Theatre)

Best Local Stage Production: Play/Dramatic Musical
Parade (Mark Taper Forum)

Best Local Stage Production: Small Theatre
Fellowship: The Musical (Falcon Theatre)

The Visionary Award
James Cameron

The George Pal Memorial Award
Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman

The Producers Showcase Award
Lauren Shuler Donner

The Life Career Award
Irvin Kershner