The National Film Awards (also known as the Daily Mail National Film Awards, Daily Mail Film Awards, British Film Oscars, Britain's Oscars, and Silver Star) were the first ever[1] national film awards held in Britain. They were sponsored by the Daily Mail newspaper with readers voting at cinemas across the country, for Best Actor, Actress, and Film. The inaugural event was held at the Dorchester Hotel, London in 1946.
The award is seen as the predecessor to the British Academy Film Awards (also known as the BAFTA Film Awards) which, although it began in 1947, did not give Best Actor/Actress awards until 1952 and the inspiration behind the National Film Awards UK which is voted on by movie fans and commenced its award ceremonies since 2015.
The awards ran from 1946 to 1951. It was always held at the Dorchester HotelinLondon and was hosted by Lord and Lady Rothermere. It was held in conjunction with the Daily Mail National Film Festival held in Leicester Square, London. The trophy was a silver nymph holding aloft a silver star in its right hand. The circular base was inscribed with the winners details. The trophy stands approximately 60 cm high.In
