Jane Campion's western The Power of the Dog has won best film at the BAFTA Awards, with Campion also taking the best director accolade.
Jane Campion (file photo) Photo: AFP
The dark western had eight BAFTA nominations while science fiction epic Dune, a mammoth adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel, led with 11 nominations, mainly in the creative and technical categories.
The British Academy Film Awards returned as a glitzy in-person event this year, with stars including Lady Gaga and Benedict Cumberbatch walking the red carpet at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Benedict Cumberbatch arrives at the BAFTA ceremony. Photo: AFP
Benedict Cumberbatch missed out on the leading actor award for The Power of the Dog to Will Smith, who won the accolade for playing the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard. Kodi Smit-McPhee and Jesse Plemons were nominated for supporting actor for Power of the Dog, and lost out to Troy Kotsur for Coda.
The Power of the Dog was also nominated for original score and cinematography - both of which went to Dune - and adapted screenplay, won for Coda.
Belfast, Kenneth Brannagh's semi-autobiographical black and white comedy drama set at the onset of Northern Ireland's three decades of conflict, took out the award for outstanding British film.
Lady Gaga was nominated for best leading actress for 'House of Gucci'. Photo: AFP
Australian actress and comedian Rebel Wilson hosted this year's British Academy of Film and Television Arts ceremony following a virtual event last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Singer Shirley Bassey opened the show, performing a James Bond movie theme in honour of the film franchise's 60th anniversary.
Not all nominees were present, with Campion and Will Smith among those absent.
- Reuters / BBC