Good evening and welcome to the EE British Academy Film awards.
Tonight's awards promise to be a celebration of the very best in film with our new host
the incredible Rebel Wilson.
But I want to begin with a message of support on behalf of BAFTA for the people of Ukraine.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shocked the world with images and stories detailing a
truly horrific and heart-breaking situation.
Together with our colleagues at the Ukrainian Film Academy and with our fellow academies
across Europe, we stand in solidarity with those who are bravely fighting for their country
and we share their hope for a return to peace.
We're hugely grateful to the journalists and filmmakers covering Ukraine, many of whom
are BAFTA members.
They're bravely reporting and documenting the conflict and the humanitarian crisis.
If you want to make a donation to support the relief effort we encourage you to respond
to the appeal from the Disasters Emergency Committee.
It supports those who are fleeing conflict and who urgently need our help.
Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine as well as those affected by many other conflicts
around the world at this time.
On to this special evening.
I'm so glad to see all of you back in person at the Royal Albert Hall and that we're joined
by so many of the world's most talented people in film.
I wasn't sure if I was going to be here today as my wife is expecting our first baby...
...and the due date is today.
Would you believe it?
So if you see me rushing off mid-ceremony, you know the baby's on the way.
BAFTA is an arts charity and through our awards we recognise and celebrate creative excellence
in film, games and television.
We aim to inspire the next generation of the talented people no matter who they are and
where they come from.
We provide support mentorship and opportunities to help them on their journey.
This is a very special year for BAFTA -- our 75th it's a pivotal moment in BAFTA's history
as we continue to invest in a future that will benefit our industries and for anyone
who loves film.
We've already made sweeping changes across our whole organization, to our voting membership
and campaigning processes.
We did this to level the playing field for entries so that more films and the real range
of exceptional talent could be considered on an equal footing.
The fruits of these efforts are evident in this year's outstanding nominations and I'm
thrilled that tonight we're shining a light on so many first-time nominees.
For too long our industry has been closed off to some people.
My father arrived here on a boat from India in the 1960s to work for the National Health
Service.
Growing up in the Valleys of South Wales, we didn't know anyone who worked in film or
tv and there wasn't anyone who looked like me on screen.
We're changing that.
We want everyone watching at home to feel that the creative industries are for them
too and at this defining hour of BAFTA's 75th anniversary, change has come.
Tonight's awards have been decided by BAFTA voting members, over 7000 of the industry's
leading experts in their fields, and the EE Rising Star Award is the only award chosen
by the public.
It honours an emerging performer with exceptional talent.
I can't wait to see who's won that.
My thanks to all our official partners especially our sponsor EE who've been with us for an
incredible 25 years as well as the BBC, Wizkid Entertainment and Freuds and to the brilliant
BAFTA team led by Amanda Berry and Kevin Price and to our president His Royal Highness, the
Duke of Cambridge who supports us in everything we do.
Huge congratulations to every nominee on your achievements and for the inspirational work
you share with the world.
Tonight is your night, enjoy the show.