The 2021 British Academy Film Awards saw one of its most diverse list of winners yet, as Nomadland led the winners with four prizes including the coveted Best Film.
The star-studded ceremony, filmed at London‘s Royal Albert Hall, was huge night of success of international talent, with Daniel Kaluuya continuing his clean sweep with a win for Best Supporting Actor, and a shock win in Leading Actor as Anthony Hopkins beat the late Chadwick Boseman.
Elsewhere, Emerald Fennell was stunned as she accepted the awards for Best Original Screenplay and Outstanding British Film, while young Rocks actress Bukky Bakray won the coveted EE Rising Star award.
Elated: The 2021 British Academy Film Awards saw one of its most diverse list of winners yet, as Nomadland led the winners with four prizes including the coveted Best Film
Chloe Zhao, who also won the Best Director award, accepted the Best Film prize for Nomadland, saying: ‘We would like to dedicate this award to the nomadic community who so generously welcomed us into their lives, they shared with us their dreams, their struggles, their strength and their dignity.
‘Thank for showing us that ageing is a beautiful part of life, How we treat our elders says a lot about who we as a society and we need to change for the better, thank you members of the BAFTA we hope to see you again somewhere down the road.’
It came as the film’s star Frances McDormand was awarded Best Leading Actress, but wasn’t present at the ceremony to accept.
Instead, presenter Richard E Grant joked he’d just been sent a message by Frances ‘via carrier pigeon,’ and read out: ‘Thank you dear British people I humbly accept this honour on behalf of the Nomadland tribe and company, we salute you, long may we roll.’
Surprising! The star-studded ceremony, filmed at London’s Royal Albert Hall, saw a shock win in Leading Actor as Anthony Hopkins (pictured left in The Father) beat the late Chadwick Boseman (right in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom)
Delighted: Chloe Zhao, who also won the Best Director award, accepted the Best Film prize for Nomadland, saying: ‘We would like to dedicate this award to the nomadic community who so generously welcomed us into their lives’
She’s not there! It came as the film’s star Frances McDormand was awarded Best Leading Actress, but wasn’t present at the ceremony to accept
Gorgeous: Leading a slew of celebrities who presented live from Los Angeles, Renee Zellweger presented the prize for Leading Actor, as the Covid pandemic led to parts of this year’s ceremony being filmed on both sides of the Atlantic
In a shock result, Sir Anthony Hopkins was awarded the Leading Actor for his work in The Father, beating out Chadwick Boseman, who had received a slew of posthumous prizes for his work in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and is still one of the favourites for Best Actor at the Oscars.
While he was also absent from the awards, Anthony later spoke to MailOnline and other media about his win from his home in Wales, saying: ‘I don’t want to sound heavy about it but it’s the only thing I know how to do, I don’t know how I became an actor, but it’s something that’s in my blood.
‘I enjoy it, I keep it simple, I love it it’s great life and to be able to to express things. I hope I don’t take myself too seriously.
‘The Father was quite easy because I didn’t have to act much, because I am old, so it made it so easy, and when you’re working with a great great cast of actors, when you’re working with a cast like this, it makes it so easy.
No crowd this time! Presenters appeared during the ceremony from both London and Los Angeles, but all nominees will accept their prizes virtually in front of a virtual audience watching from home
Next stop… The Oscars? Elsewhere Daniel Kaluuya continued his romp to the Oscars with yet another Best Supporting Actor win for his work in Judas and the Black Messiah
‘It’s astonishing, it made it easy, I’d come in the morning ready for work because I’m not a method actor but when you have a perfect script it’s like a roadmap, and we’d have a go at it and we’d have some fun at it. The whole cast was perfect so it made it easy for me.’
Elsewhere Daniel Kaluuya continued his romp to the Oscars with yet another Best Supporting Actor win for his work in Judas and the Black Messiah.
Accepting his award from Los Angeles and dressed head-to-toe in white, Daniel said: ‘Appreciate you man, thank you, thank you God thank you BAFTAs thank you to all my friend sand family thank you to my mum, thank you Proximity, Warner Bros.
‘Everyone that helped build this project together and bought it to this point, I thank all the cast, this recognition is a reflection of what we all did.’
It was a huge victory for British talent as the Get Out star remains a favourite for the Oscars later this month.
But it seemed Daniel wasn’t focused on the prospect of making history at the Academy Awards, telling MailOnline and other media: ‘I’m chill man, I take every day as it comes man. I’m just chill. I’m enjoying this I’ve got a vibe out I’m enjoying this I ain’t thinking about in two weeks time.
‘It’s a vibe when you go to BAFTAs you just have fun, you would have just had, you know how it is, a bit more of an experience, but I’m grateful man I’m here.’
Over the moon! Elsewhere Yuh-Jung Young was awarded Best Supporting Actress for her work in Minari, and hilariously said: ‘Every award is meaningful especially recognised by British people known as very snobbish people’
Elsewhere Yuh-Jung Young was awarded Best Supporting Actress for her work in Minari.
Speaking after the win, she said: ‘Well hello Britain, I am Korean actress and I don’t know how to say I’m very honoured to be nominate.
‘First expressions that I can deep condolence for your Duke of Edinburgh, and thank you so much for this award. Every award is meaningful especially recognised by British people known as very snobbish people and they approve me as a good actor.’
Following her hilarious comments towards the ‘snobbish’ English, Yuh-Jung was asked whether there was an experience behind her words.
She said: ‘My personal experience of course! I think somehow I visited Britain a lot of times and then even I had some kind of fellowship in Cambridge ten years ago. Not in a bad way, you had your history and your pride, as an Asian woman I thought these people are very snobbish.’
Shocked: Elsewhere Emerald Fennell was left speechless after learning she’d been awarded Original Screenplay for her work penning Promising Young Woman
Wow! It wasn’t the only victory for The Crown star during the evening, as she also received the prize for Outstanding British Film for her work on Carey Mulligan-starring drama
Elsewhere Emerald Fennell was left speechless after learning she’d been awarded Original Screenplay for her work penning Promising Young Woman.
Brandishing a chocolate version of her prize, she gushed: ‘I only have this chocolate BAFTA which has melted in my hand because my palms are so sweaty, thank you thank you so much.
‘Focus, film nation and everyone else but most importantly and lucky chap, the amazing cast who just made the script so much better and most particularly Carey Mulligan just the greatest person the greatest actress, and huge thanks to my family for being so patient and kind, this is just a dream come true. I’m sorry I’m so shocked. I thought I’d do a better speech than this.’
It wasn’t the only victory for Emerald during the evening, as she also received the prize for Outstanding British Film for her work on Carey Mulligan-starring drama.
Elated: Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer was given to Remi Weekes for his work on the film His House, while Cinematography was given to Nomadland, and Editing to Sound of Metal
Clearly stunned by the win, she said: ‘Oh wow, this is too much, just looking at all the other films nominated I just cant’ believe out film was among so many incredible films.
‘I’m so grateful to every single person who made this film, it was really a labour of love, pretty mic everyone did this film for a packet of crisps! There are so many people I want to come to your house and kiss you which I can’t do for various reasons!’
For the coveted EE Rising Star Award, Hackney-born actress Bukky Bakray, 19, sparked a thunderous reaction from her loved ones when she was voted to received the top award, which has been seen as a launch pad for many young talents in Hollywood.
She can’t believe it! For the coveted EE Rising Star Award, Hackney-born actress Bukky Bakray, 19, sparked a thunderous reaction from her loved ones when she was voted to received the top award for her performance in Rocks
After paying tribute to rapper DMX and all those who have passed away in the wake of the pandemic, Bukky told MailOnline: ‘The opportunities are endless, I don’t know how to articulate the feelings I’ve never felt like this before.
‘All the nominees from previous years and people who have gone onto win it they’ve all had astonishing careers that I’ve looked up to. All of these people have had outstanding careers and I just feel blessed to be nominated.
‘I’m gonna pop champagne, we’re gonna scream we’re gonna shout we’re gonna be wild, because I didn’t expect this. I’ve got people I really love in this room with me so I feel blessed ot share this experience with them.’
Hugh Grant took to the stage to present the BAFTA Fellowship to Ang Lee, having worked with the Oscar-winning filmmaker on one of his earliest films, Sense and Sensibility.
While the Taiwanese filmmaker was unable to attend the ceremony in person, he did offer thanks to British actors in his speech.
He said: ‘I’m humbled to be counted amongst such brilliant filmmakers. It’s overwhelming. England has been particularly good to me in my career. Britain was the only market where The Ice Storm made any money.
‘And of course, Sense And Sensibility, which was like a second film school for me – I could only communicate in short sentences.
‘The comments I gave the actors were very concise, direct and honest. The casuals competing to see who would get the most rude remark from me.
‘But my British colleagues were super-patient and kind to me. I owe so much to them because after Sense And Sensibility, I dared to venture into many other types of movies.’
Liam Payne kicked off the ceremony with jaw-dropping virtual performance that saw him duet with a wholly animated version of himself.
Hosts Edith and Dermot also began the show with a tribute to His Royal Highness Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh, following his death on Friday at the age of 99.
They said: ‘Before we start tonight we want to say that on behalf of BAFTA, we are extremely saddened by the passing of his royal highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on Friday.
‘The Duke was BAFTA’s very first president over 60 years ago and was the first of a line of royal patronage all the way through to BAFTA’s current president, his grandson the Duke of Cambridge.
‘It was Prince Philip and her Majesty the Queen’s support throughout these years that in many ways allowed BAFTA, a leading charity in the arts, to continue in difficult times and to be here today in 2021 celebrating another outstanding year of achievement in film.
Epic: Liam Payne began the show with AR pre-show that saw the hitmaker perform with a specially-made version of himself
‘The Duke of Edinburgh occupies a very special place in BAFTA history and he will be missed. Our thoughts are with the royal family.’
Up first was the award for Animation, presented by Priyanka Chopra, which was given to Disney Pixar’s Soul, which like many films saw its release moved to streaming due to the Covid pandemic.
Best Adapted Screenplay, presented by Anna Kendrick, was presented to Florian Zeller for his work penning The Father, and following the victory, the French writer praised the land of Great Britain where he worked on the film.
He told MailOnline: ‘It was the most joyful experience of my whole life and mainly because and thanks to the crew and the people, David Parfitt our producer was the nicest man in the world and around him I have to say the crew was really nice and wonderful, so it was a joyful process.’
Best Film Not In The English Language was given to the dark Danish film Another Round, which offered a stark glimpse of the effects of binge drinking, while Nomadland scooped the award for Cinematography.
Dynamic duo: Edith Bowman and Dermot O’Leary kicked off the virtual ceremony, which was without an audience due to Covid restrictions
Moving: The ceremony also began with a tribute to His Royal Highness Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh, following his death on Friday at the age of 99
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer was given to Remi Weekes for his work on the film His House, while Cinematography was given to Nomadland, and Editing to Sound of Metal.
The creators of the documentary film The Octopus Teacher were stunned when they were honoured for their work, screaming with delight as they joined all of this year’s nominees appearing via. Zoom.
The BAFTA and EE British Academy Film Awards 2021 is the first of the Academy’s film ceremonies to be held virtually.
The TV version of the awards show took place online during summer 2020, but last year’s film ceremony managed to go ahead a month before the Covid pandemic forced the UK into lockdown.
With the pandemic still raging, another change will take place this year: the BAFTAs will happen in two parts. Both shows, recognising the very best in film of the past year, will be broadcast virtually from London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The first show celebrates the craft of film while the second main show will feature the mainstream awards.
Praised: Best Adapted Screenplay, presented by Anna Kendrick, was presented to Florian Zeller for his work penning The Father, and following the victory, the French writer praised the land of Great Britain where he worked on the film
We won? The creators of the documentary film The Octopus Teacher were stunned when they were honoured for their work, screaming with delight as they joined all of this year’s nominees appearing via. Zoom
Show one was hosted by Clara Amfo on Saturday night and saw eight of the 17 gongs awarded.
During the broadcast it was revealed that Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom won two awards: Costume Design and Make Up & Hair.
Rocks won Casting while Sound of Metal won Sound. Mank picked up Production Design, and Tenet won Special Visual Effects.
The Present won the British Short Film award, while the BAFTA for British Short Animation was won by The Owl and the Pussycat.
The award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema, announced last month, was presented to filmmaker Noel Clarke.
Show two was fronted by Dermot O’Leary and Edith Bowman from London’s Royal Albert Hall where the acting prizes will be given out, and no audience was present.
Both programmes were being broadcast in all major territories around the world and a total of 50 feature films received nominations this year.
Presenters appeared during the ceremony from both London and Los Angeles, but all nominees will accept their prizes virtually in front of a virtual audience watching from home.
Prince William , who is president of BAFTA, was due to feature on Saturday in a pre-recorded conversation with costume designer Jenny Beavan and make-up and hair designer Sharon Martin, but pulled out following the death of his grandfather the Duke of Edinburgh.
On Sunday, he was to deliver a speech via video, celebrating the resilience of the film industry over the past year – but BAFTA has confirmed he will no longer be taking part in the ceremony.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who died yesterday at Windsor Castle at the age of 99, was BAFTA’s first president, serving from 1959 to 1965, and continued to support the organisation throughout his life.
BAFTA had also announced their most diverse list of nominees in the awards’ 74-year history.
In a first, four women have been nominated in the Director category. Three of the nominated directors are also nominated for Film Not in the English Language.
As part of BAFTA’s pledge to support fresh talent, four of the five nominated films in Outstanding Debut are also nominated across other categories, with first-time nominees accounting for four of the six nominated Directors and 21 of the 24 nominees in the performance categories.
In the past year, BAFTA undertook a wide-ranging Review, signalling the beginning of a significant cultural shift within the organisation.
The changes introduced for the Film Awards are the first phase in an ongoing process of levelling the playing field for all entered films.
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