Made for just $15 million USD the tense, low budget Iraq war drama won out over James Cameron's sprawling science fiction epic Avatar, which has become the biggest grossing film of all time, taking $2.5 billion USD at the box office, at the 82nd Academy Awards.

In a true Hollywood twist Cameron sat directly behind Bigelow, his ex-wife, and rose to his feet applauding rapturously as she won the Oscar for best director. All in all, The Hurt Locker took home six Oscars and Avatar just three. Both had been nominated for nine awards.

Veteran Jeff Bridges claimed the Oscar for best actor playing a drunken country singer in drama Crazy Heart.

In a surprise win, Sandra Bullock, previously famous for her romantic comedies, was named best actress for The Blind Side.

In a true story, she played a strong-willed mother who takes a homeless youth off the street and helps him to become an American Football star.

The dark drama Precious won two Oscars including best supporting actress for Mo'Nique.

Christoph Waltz won best supporting actor for his turn as a menacing Nazi officer in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.