Photo: AP
Martin McDonagh’s “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” was the big winner at the 71st British Academy Film Awards taking five awards including both best film and best British film. The film’s stars Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell won best actress and best supporting actor, respectively, while McDonagh took home best original screenplay.
McDonagh lost out in the best director category to “The Shape of Water’s” Guillermo Del Toro. “The Shape of Water” took the second biggest haul of the night with three awards, while “Blade Runner 2049” and “Darkest Hour” took two apiece.
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” took the first award of the night for outstanding British film, which was presented by Jennifer Lawrence. Sam Rockwell made it two as he won best supporting actor for the film, beating out his co-star Woody Harrelson. “I stand on the shoulders of strong, intelligent, riotous women,” said Rockwell, telling co-star Frances McDormand she was an inspiration, before dedicating the award to “my pal Alan Rickman.” In the winner’s press conference Rockwell said he and director Martin McDonagh now had a shorthand having worked together twice before, on stage and in the film “Seven Psychopaths.”
Claiming best original screenplay for the film McDonagh called Rockwell his muse. The win was McDonagh’s second BAFTA win in the category having previously won for 2008’s “In Bruges.”
Most attendees donned black and the Time’s Up pin badge in support of the Time’s Up movement. Actresses Gemma Arterton, Tessa Thompson, Gemma Chan and Naomie Harris were among those who brought activist companions to the ceremony.