Less is more for the Awards calendar

But part of me is thinking Emma Thompson is right - there's just too many of them.

She's referring of course to the awards season, which now takes up an entire third of the year.

The Nanny McPhee, Saving Mr Banks and Love Actually star has won two Academy Award statuettes herself - a Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Howards End and another for her adaptation of Sense And Sensibility.

But she's had enough of the glitz, the glamour, the fashion and the free drinks.

"We're just trawling up and down red carpets till we’re blue in the bloody face," she said.

She's not really criticising the trailblazing Academy Awards, rather the endless copycats which run between October and February each winter, diluting the meaning of those lovely little golden trophies.

Although in typically outspoken mood, she even waded into their racism row.

"You want your diversity? Then use the millions being spent on these sodding ceremonies and pay a few writers to write some great stories. That’s my advice."

She makes a very good point.

There does seem to be an increasing number of celebrations to mark a decreasing number of original films as sequels, prequels and remakes fill the cinema listings.

While the achievements of the industry's many talents should undoubtedly be marked, investment at grass roots is key.

So rather than patting each other on the back, movie bosses should cough up the cash and reap the rewards.

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