Eddie’s ready to take on DiCaprio for Bafta best actor honour

Outstanding British Film, the first award of the evening went to “Brooklyn”, directed by John Crowley. “And this woman drove me 3 hours a day to a different school to show me a different opportunity”, he said.

Among the other winners, Brie Larson, who wasn’t there, won best leading actress for her portrayal of a mother held captive in Room.

DiCaprio, who has been nominated three times before at the British awards without winning, said in his acceptance speech that he was “absolutely humbled” to beat “The Martian” star Matt Damon, “Trumbo”‘s Bryan Cranston, Michael Fassbender for “Steve Jobs”, and Eddie Redmayne for “The Danish Girl”.

Boyega won the Rising Star award – decided by public vote – and dedicated it to “all the young dreamers who are hard-working, who are determined and who quite frankly are awesome”. “The Revenant” has eight, while dystopian thrill ride “Mad Max: Fury Road” has seven.

The award for outstanding British contribution to cinema was given to a British costume supplier which has provided clothes for some of the most successful films in history including Star Wars, Titanic and Lawrence Of Arabia.

Operator took the prize for British short film while Edmond was named as best British short animation.

The movie earned five British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards, including for cinematography and sound, at a ceremony in London, two weeks before it vies for Hollywood’s top honors, the Oscars.

Kate Winslet won the supporting actress category for her portrayal in “Steve Jobs” of the late Apple co-founder’s colleague Joanna Hoffman, while Mark Rylance was named best supporting actor for his Soviet spy role in “Bridge of Spies”.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens won an award for special visual effects, while Inside Out won in the animated film category.

London date… Cate Blanchett poses on the red carpet.

Financial misdeeds movie “The Big Short” won for adapted screenplay and “Spotlight”, a film about a newspaper investigation into Catholic Church sex abuse, won best original screenplay. I have to say as an actor I’ve been so influenced by so many British actors throughout the years. Wild Tales won the BAFTA for Best Film Not In The English Language.

DiCaprio (41), who is tipped to win his first Oscar later this month, thanked his co-star Tom Hardy and sent happy birthday wishes to his mother as he collected his award.

The industry did not shy away from the big theme of the awards season: the outcry over the lack of diversity among Oscar nominees in the four acting categories for the second straight year, which revived the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.

The head of the British film academy said she supported the protesters’ aims.

Stephen Fry is hosting the event.

Mark Rylance won the supporting actor award for Bridge of Spies, beating Idris Elba who had been nominated for Netflix civil war story Beasts of No Nation.