Cate Blanchett named best actress for 'Blue Jasmine' at BAFTA 2014

Cate Blanchett has been dubbed the best actress for her role as a fallen NYC socialite in Woody Allen-helmed 'Blue Jasmine' at 2014's BAFTA.

The 44-year-old actress beat off competition from the likes of Judi Dench and Emma Thompson, who were nominated for 'Philomena' and 'Saving Mr Banks' respectively, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

While accepting her award, Blanchett dedicated the win to Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was recently found dead in his Manhattan apartment from an apparent drug overdose.

She praised the late actor and said that he had continually raised the bar very high and all his fellow actors can do in his absence is to try and raise it continually through their work.