Los Angeles, Jan 13 (IANS): Crime-comedy drama "American Hustle" clinched awards in three of its seven nominations at the glitzy and star-studded 71st edition of the Golden Globe Awards, the first of the Hollywood awards season, here Sunday evening.

"American Hustle", which is based in 1970s and is a story about two con-artists who set up stings to catch corrupt politicians, was awarded for being the best film - comedy or musical. The movie, directed by David O. Russell, also won the best supporting actress for Jennifer Lawrence and the best actress for Amy Adams.

It missed out on awards for best screenplay, director, best actor and best supporting actor.

"12 Years A slave", which had also received seven nominations, only won the best motion picture drama.

The best director of a motion picture award went to Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron for "Gravity".

Two awards were won by "Dallas Buyers Club", biopic on an AIDS patient. Jared Leto was awarded the best supporting actor in a motion picture, and the best actor in a motion picture drama honour was reserved for Matthew McConaughey, who was happy to receive the "unexpected but graciously accepted" trophy.

In the best actress in a motion picture drama, Cate Blanchett took away the award for "Blue Jasmine", which was directed by Woody Allen, who was honoured with the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille award for making an incredible impact on the world of entertainment.

The coveted honour was received on Allen's behalf by his longtime friend Diane Keaton, who saluted the filmmaker along with his "Magic In The Moonlight" actress Emma Stone.

Co-hosted by Amy Poehler, who won the best actress in TV series comedy for her performance in "Parks and Recreation" and "Saturday Night Live" star Tina Fey, the event was attended by big names like Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper and Leonardo DiCaprio.

DiCaprio walked away with the best actor in comedy or musical award for his work in "The Wolf Of Wall Street".

"Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" was awarded for best original song - motion picture for "Ordinary Love". U2 band received the award, and thanked late anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, who died in 2013.

In the animation category, "Frozen" won the accolades, while in the foreign film category, Paolo Sorrentino's Italian film "The Great Beauty" pipped nominations from Iran, France, Denmark and Japan.

As far as the television categories were concerned, "Breaking Bad" was given the Golden Globe trophies for best TV series drama. It also won a best actor in a TV series drama for Bryan Cranston.

"Behind The Candelabra" was feted as the best TV movie or mini-series, while Hollywood ace Michael Douglas fetched the trophy for best actor in a mini-series or TV movie for the show.

The Golden Globe Awards ceremony, organised by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, was held in Beverly Hills.