<p>The opening night of the 74th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards saw Viola Davis-starrer <em>Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom</em> taking home two awards in the technical categories.</p>.<p>The annual award ceremony, delayed from its usual February date due to the coronavirus pandemic, has been split into a two-day event.</p>.<p>The BAFTA's opening night, which was hosted by British radio personality Clara Amfo, was held virtually on Saturday and winners for eight categories were announced.</p>.<p><em>Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom</em>, which also featured the late Hollywood star Chadwick Boseman, took home the trophies for best costume design and best make up and hair.</p>.<p>David Fincher's <em>Mank</em>, starring Gary Oldman, won the award for best production design, while filmmaker Christopher Nolan's spy thriller <em>Tenet</em> bagged the best visual effects trophy.</p>.<p>Riz Ahmed-starrer <em>Sound of Metal w</em>on the award for best sound, while the best casting trophy went to Lucy Pardee for British coming-of-age drama "Rocks"</p>.<p>Farah Nabulsi’s <em>The Present </em>won best British short film, and animated short "The Owl And The Pussycat" was named best British short animation.</p>.<p>The ceremony also saw actor, director and writer Noel Clarke, best known for the <em>Kidulthood</em> film trilogy, honoured with the outstanding British contribution to cinema award.</p>.<p>Actor Leslie Odom Jr, who has been nominated for best supporting actor at the BAFTAs for his performance in<em> One Night in Miam</em>i, performed the track <em>Speak Now</em> during the ceremony.</p>.<p>Amfo opened the event by reading a tribute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday at the age of 99.</p>.<p>The host noted that Prince Philip had served as the first president of the BAFTA, holding the post from 1959 until 1965.</p>.<p>"It was Prince Philip and Her Majesty the Queen’s support throughout these years that in many ways allowed BAFTA, a leading charity in the arts, to continue in difficult times and to be here today in 2021," Amfo said.</p>.<p>"The Duke of Edinburgh occupies a very special place in BAFTA history and he will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family," she added.</p>.<p>Prince William, who was set to make a special appearance in a pre-recorded interview and also make a speech via video, has pulled out of the ceremony in the wake of his grandfather's death.</p>.<p>The winners for major categories of BAFTA will be announced on Sunday.</p>.<p>Among the presenters scheduled to appear are Priyanka Chopra Jonas, James McAvoy, David Oyelowo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Pedro Pascal, Richard E Grant, Cynthia Erivo and Hugh Grant</p>
<p>The opening night of the 74th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards saw Viola Davis-starrer <em>Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom</em> taking home two awards in the technical categories.</p>.<p>The annual award ceremony, delayed from its usual February date due to the coronavirus pandemic, has been split into a two-day event.</p>.<p>The BAFTA's opening night, which was hosted by British radio personality Clara Amfo, was held virtually on Saturday and winners for eight categories were announced.</p>.<p><em>Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom</em>, which also featured the late Hollywood star Chadwick Boseman, took home the trophies for best costume design and best make up and hair.</p>.<p>David Fincher's <em>Mank</em>, starring Gary Oldman, won the award for best production design, while filmmaker Christopher Nolan's spy thriller <em>Tenet</em> bagged the best visual effects trophy.</p>.<p>Riz Ahmed-starrer <em>Sound of Metal w</em>on the award for best sound, while the best casting trophy went to Lucy Pardee for British coming-of-age drama "Rocks"</p>.<p>Farah Nabulsi’s <em>The Present </em>won best British short film, and animated short "The Owl And The Pussycat" was named best British short animation.</p>.<p>The ceremony also saw actor, director and writer Noel Clarke, best known for the <em>Kidulthood</em> film trilogy, honoured with the outstanding British contribution to cinema award.</p>.<p>Actor Leslie Odom Jr, who has been nominated for best supporting actor at the BAFTAs for his performance in<em> One Night in Miam</em>i, performed the track <em>Speak Now</em> during the ceremony.</p>.<p>Amfo opened the event by reading a tribute to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday at the age of 99.</p>.<p>The host noted that Prince Philip had served as the first president of the BAFTA, holding the post from 1959 until 1965.</p>.<p>"It was Prince Philip and Her Majesty the Queen’s support throughout these years that in many ways allowed BAFTA, a leading charity in the arts, to continue in difficult times and to be here today in 2021," Amfo said.</p>.<p>"The Duke of Edinburgh occupies a very special place in BAFTA history and he will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family," she added.</p>.<p>Prince William, who was set to make a special appearance in a pre-recorded interview and also make a speech via video, has pulled out of the ceremony in the wake of his grandfather's death.</p>.<p>The winners for major categories of BAFTA will be announced on Sunday.</p>.<p>Among the presenters scheduled to appear are Priyanka Chopra Jonas, James McAvoy, David Oyelowo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Pedro Pascal, Richard E Grant, Cynthia Erivo and Hugh Grant</p>