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The winners of the 2020 EE British Academy Film Awards were announced last night (2 February) at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The big winner of the night was Sam Mendes’ World War One epic 1917, taking home seven awards, including outstanding British Film, Best Director for Mendes and Best Cinematography for Roger Deakins. Mendes is the first British winner of Best Director since Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) in 2009.
The Best Leading Actor award went to Joaquin Phoenix for his starring role in Joker, making it back-to-back wins for Phoenix after winning Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama at the Golden Globes last month and putting him in pole position for his first Academy Award. Phoenix addressed the recent BAFTA diversity controversy in his acceptance speech, taking aim at “systemic racism” and “oppression”. Joker also triumphed in the first new BAFTA category in 21 years, which was dedicated to casting.
Renee Zellweger took home her second BAFTA and first in a Leading Role for her turn as Judy Garland in Judy. Co-star Jessie Buckley performed a rendition of Glasgow from 2019’s Wild Rose on the night.
With Brad Pitt and Laura Dern’s triumphs in the supporting actor categories, 2020 becomes the first year since 1977 that all four BAFTA acting awards have been won by Americans.
Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite continued its impressive awards season run by picking up Best Film Not In The English Language, and Best Original Screenplay. Best Adapted Screenplay went to Jojo Rabbit, fending off fierce competition from Little Women.
Andy Serkis was recognised for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema, presented to him by Lord of the Rings co-star Sir Ian McKellen.
The EE rising star award (voted for by the public) was awarded to Blue Story breakout star Michael Ward.
To view the full list of winners, visit the British Academy Film Awards website.
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