Star Wars: The Force Awakens batted away competition from Mad Max: Fury Road to top the winners list at the Empire Awards. Star Wars took home five awards including best sci-fi/fantasy film and best director.

The films stars Daisy Ridley and John Boyega were also honoured, Ridley with best female newcomer and Boyega as best male newcomer. The films special effects rounded off a successful evening for the film.

Mad Max: Fury Road took home awards for make-up, soundtrack, costumes and production design. Best film went to the big winner at this years Oscars, The Revenant, but was otherwise shut out of the awards list. The gongs are chosen by movie fans, which Ridley said was exciting as Star Wars was made for them.

When we were making the film, the fans were the most important facet of the whole thing, and the fact this has been nominated by fans is very exciting, said Ridley. When asked how her life has changed since Star Wars came in to it, Ridley joked: Well now I have many followers on Instagram!

Now weve gone straight in to filming episode VIII, Ive not had much time to think about it, but Im filming a production that I love, with people that I love, so thats great, she added.

Ridley and Boyega have been lauded for their natural on-screen chemistry in Star Wars. Boyega was asked what some of the funniest moments on set were. I remember loads of funny moments, but most of them involved Daisy singing out the time and not being able to shut up! said Boyega.

Star Wars: The Musical coming soon? I will not be in it, said Boyega, over a very excited-sounding Ridley. Daisy has just got the lead role as Finn, he said.