Los Angeles - Penelope Cruz won the first prize of the 81st annual Oscars Sunday night.

The Spanish actress, 34, was named best-supporting actress for her role in Woody Allen's movie Vicky Christina Barcelona.

Slumdog Millionaire, about the rise of a slum-dwelling Mumbai orphan to the finale of India's most popular quiz show, was the favourite to dominate the biggest night of the Hollywood calendar. Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy won the movie's first prize of the evening for adapted screenplay.

Dustin Lance Black won the prize for original screenplay for Milk.

WALL-E was named the year's best animated movie, while the best animated short film was La Maison en Petits Cubes. (dpa)