Three Billboards Wins Big at a Activism-Charged BAFTAs

Stars started gathering on the red carpet leading up to the Royal Albert Hall from five o’clock in the evening. They all managed to look incredibly glamorous while also standing in solidarity with the Time’s Up movement.
Black was the signature colour on the red carpet as both men and women rallied to campaign for gender equality and to condemn the systemic issue that is sexual harassment in the work place. Stars brought activists along as their guests to show that it isn’t just a problem affecting the film industry but that it happens across all industries and they stand in solidarity with all women. Time’s Up was present in many of the acceptance speeches.
Joanna Lumley had some very big shoes to fill. The charismatic Stephen Fry had been the host for the ceremony for the previous twelve years. She did her best but fell short. She made an effort to point out that this is a historical year in the UK, which is celebrating 1oo years since the first women were given the right to vote, but that the recent activist movements showed that there is still much to be done.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri was the big winner of the night, adding five shiny golden BAFTA masks to its growing collection of awards. Not only did it win the biggest award of the night, the coveted Best Film award, it was also awarded the recognition for Outstanding British Film. As expected the Best Leading Actress and Best Supporting Actor awards went to the incredibly talented Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell. Martin McDonagh, writer-director of the film, was awarded the Best Original Screenplay award.
Daniel Kaluuya was incredibly excited and delivered a funny acceptance speech when he won the EE Rising Star award for his role in the surprising and immensely popular Get Out.
As expected Guillermo del Toro amazing work on the enchanting and tender The Shape of Water was recognised when he was awarded the Best Director BAFTA mask. He delivered a speech in which he highlighted the British influences in the film and his love for Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankestein’.
Gary Oldman is now one step closer to winning the Oscar after being awarded Best Leading Actor for his role as Winston Churchill in ‘Darkest Hour’. The historical film was also recognised for its achievement in hair and make up for Gary Oldman’s incredible transformation.
‘Call Me By Your Name’ was awarded Best Adapted Screenplay. Alison Janney was recognised once again for her incredible performance in ‘I, Tonya’ with the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress.
Blade Runner 2049 was recognised in the technical categories, winning Best Visual Effects and Cinematography. ‘Dunkirk’ took home the award for best achievement in sound. Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver won Best Editing.
British Director Ridley Scott’s in the cinema industry for the past forty years was acknowledged with the most important prize of the evening, the BAFTA Fellowship. Scott’s backlog of films include the first ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Thelma & Louise’ and ‘Gladiator’, and many many more.
You can see the whole list of winners here.
> Naomi Round