Two British films dominated the MTV movie awards in Los Angeles yesterday.

The universal appeal of Moulin Rouge and Lord of the Rings was reflected by their success in the awards ceremony - winning four of the 12 accolades, which ranged from best kiss to best comedic performance and best movie.

Unlike other award ceremonies, the MTV movie awards are voted for by film-goers in America.

Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring won the best movie award and its star, Orlando Bloom, won best male breakthrough. He beat off the competition from Daniel Radcliffe, the star of the other popular British film, Harry Potter.

The 25-year-old Kent-born actor, who played the elf archer Legolas Greenleaf, did not attend the ceremony but said he was flattered by the award. He described the experience of working on the film as life changing. He said he hoped people would enjoy the second film.

Moulin Rouge - Baz Luhrman's fast-paced and colourful musical - starring Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman, won best musical sequence and best female performance for Kidman.

The actor, who played the lead role of the courtesan Satine, pretended she was disappointed not to have won the award for best kiss with McGregor. "I'm really bummed we didn't get best kiss," she said. "We should have rehearsed more - we needed to kiss more, Ewan."

She also praised the loyalty of her fans during the recent off-screen drama of her private life.

Kelly Osbourne, daughter of the ageing, but newly fashionable, rock star Ozzy Osbourne, made her singing debut at the show. She was watched by her brother Jack who was videotaping her performance from his seat in the auditorium.

Kelly, who has become a household name because of her appearances with her family in At Home with the Osbournes, performed a cover of Madonna's early hit Papa Don't Preach. Will Smith was named best male performance for his role in Ali.

The award for best kiss went to two male actors, Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott, for their roles in the comedy American Pie 2, while Denzel Washington was named best villain for his role as a maverick police officer in the thriller Training Day, for which he won an Oscar.

The MTV movie awards, which are voted for by the music channel's viewers in the US, will be broadcast on MTV in Britain and Ireland on June 15.

The winners:

Best movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Best male performance: Will Smith (Ali)

Best female performance: Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge)

Best on-screen team: Vin Diesel and Paul Walker (The Fast and the Furious)

Best comedic performance: Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde)

Best villain: Denzel Washington (Training Day)

Best kiss: Jason Biggs and Seann William Scott (American Pie 2)

Best action sequence: Pearl Harbour (the attack scene)

Best fight: Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan in The Hong Kong Gang (Rush Hour 2)

Best musical sequence: Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman (Moulin Rouge)

Breakthrough performance for a male: Orlando Bloom (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)

Breakthrough performance for a female: Mandy Moore (A Walk To Remember)