Brooklyn and The Revenant named top films at Baftas

John Crowley’s adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s novel scoops first award of the ceremony

John Crowley, Finola Dwyer, Amanda Posey and Nick Hornby pose in the press room after winning the award for Outstanding British Film for Brooklyn during the 69th Baftas  in London, England. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA
John Crowley, Finola Dwyer, Amanda Posey and Nick Hornby pose in the press room after winning the award for Outstanding British Film for Brooklyn during the 69th Baftas in London, England. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Brooklyn has been named outstanding British film at the Baftas.

John Crowley’s film adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s novel scooped the first award of the night at this year’s ceremony.

The Bafta for leading actress went to Brie Larson for Room, beating Irish actor Saoirse Ronan, who had been nominated for Brooklyn.

Leonardo DiCaprio took the leading actor Bafta for his performance in The Revenant, which also scooped the overall award for best film and the best director award for for Alejandro G Inarritu.

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Inarritu described the win as “a true honour”.

He paid tribute to the film’s cast, including DiCaprio, hailing his work, talent and commitment.

The Revenant also received the award for cinematography and sound.

Star Wars actor John Boyega took the EE Rising Star award, the only Bafta voted for by the public, at this year’s event.

Accepting the award, Boyega said: “I want to thank God for this moment. I have some very special people in my life . . . I’m going to share this award with all the young dreamers who are hard-working . . . This is for you.”

Star Wars: The Force Awakens also won the Bafta for special visual effects.

Amy, the documentary about singer Amy Winehouse, took the best documentary award.

Asif Kapadia, who directed the documentary, said: “In the end it was all about Amy.

“We really fell in love with her when making the film. And our aim and mission was really to try and tell the truth about her.

“To show the world what an amazing person she was, how intelligent, how witty, how beautiful she was, before it all kind of got out of control and went a bit crazy.”

Mad Max: Fury Road took the Baftas for editing and make-up and hair, while the Bafta for original music went to Ennio Morricone for The Hateful Eight.

PA