Jane Campion was absent for the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall in London, but her producer Tanya Seghatchian paid tribute to her, calling her "a visionary who has marked the last thirty years of cinema".

After the Golden Globes in January and the Directors Guild of America (DGA) on Saturday, the New Zealander is collecting awards two weeks away from the Oscars.

She becomes the third woman to win the Bafta for best director after Chinese Chloé Zhao ("Nomadland") last year and American Kathryn Bigelow ("Minesweepers" in 2009).

- support for Ukraine -

After an awards ceremony without an audience last year due to the pandemic, it was the war in Ukraine that marked the 75th Bafta ceremony.

The Russian invasion "shocked the world with images and stories telling of a truly horrific and heartbreaking situation," British Academy President Krishnendu Majumdar said at the start of the ceremony.

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch arrives at the Bafta ceremony, the British film awards, on March 13, 2022 in London Tolga Akmen AFP

The Bafta and other film academies in Europe stand with Ukraine and "we share the hope for a return to peace", he added.

On the red carpet, some stars wore badges or ribbons in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, including actor Benedict Cumberbatch who said he was "doing what he could" to house refugees from Ukraine, after the British government called residents to welcome Ukrainians into their homes on Sunday.

Presenting the award for best direction, Andy Serkis criticized UK Home Secretary Priti Patel over the handling of the crisis, saying Ms Patel's latest film "+All refugees are welcome but some are more welcome than others+ is utter hell.”

Australian actress Rebel Wilson, who presented the ceremony, for her part gave the finger of honor to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Fortunately, in all sign languages, it's a gesture for Putin," she said, introducing Emilia Jones who was singing dubbed in sign language.

Emilia Jones was nominated for the best actress award for her portrayal in "CODA" of a teenager passionate about music, the only hearing person in a deaf family.

"CODA", an American remake of the French film "La Famille Bélier" has also entered the history of the Bafta, Troy Kotsur becoming the first deaf actor to win a prize there, that of the best male supporting role.

British actress Joanna Scanlan won the BAFTA Best Actress award for "After Love", March 13, 2022 in London Ben Stansall AFP

"I think it's great that you recognize my work on the other side of the ocean, it's really incredible," he reacted as he received his award, his interpreter by his side.

Five awards for "Dune"

American actor Will Smith was crowned best actor for his portrayal of the father and coach of tennis champion sisters Serena and Venus Williams in "The Williams Method", while Englishwoman Joanna Scanlan won the award for best actress for "After Love", where she plays a woman discovering the secrets of her deceased husband.

Joanna Scanlan paid tribute by receiving the award to her husband, "living proof that there is no + After Love +".

Disappointment for "Dune", adaptation of Frank Herbert's science fiction novel by Denis Villeneuve, which does not win any of the most prestigious prizes.

The space opera had amassed eleven nominations (the record this year) and leaves London with five awards, notably for special effects, original music and cinematography.

Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi wins the award for best foreign language film at the BAFTAs, March 13, 2022 in London Ben Stansall AFP

Also nominated for best film, "Belfast", in which Kenneth Branagh pays homage to his hometown, retracing the journey of a kid from Northern Ireland traumatized by the civil war and who finds refuge in the cinema, leaves with the award for best British film.

Among the other prizes awarded, American actress Ariana Debose won the Bafta for best supporting actress for "West Side Story", while Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi's "Drive My Car" won the award for best language film. foreign.

Named in particular for the best film and the best direction, the teenage chronicle "Licorice Pizza", by Paul Thomas Anderson leaves with the prize for the best original screenplay.

© 2022 AFP