Kotsur, 'Summer of Soul' take early Indie Spirit Awards

LONDON -- Sci-fi epic “Dune” won five prizes and brooding Western “The Power of the Dog” was named best picture as the British Academy Film Awards returned Sunday with a live, black-tie ceremony after a pandemic-curtailed event in 2021.New Zealand filmmaker Jane Campion was named best director for “The Power of the Dog,” becoming only the third woman to win the prize in the awards’ seven-decade history.Lead acting trophies went to Hollywood star Will Smith and British performer Joanna Scanlan, as an event that has worked to overcome a historic lack of diversity recognized a wide range of talents — including its first deaf acting winner in Troy Kotsur for “CODA.”Last year’s awards ceremony was largely conducted online, with only the hosts and presenters appearing in person.

The Power of the Dog was named best film at tonight’s 75th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), as the New Zealander also scooped best director. During a star-studded ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall, sci-fi epic Dune also triumphed with five gongs, and Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical Belfast was named Outstanding British Film. The Power of the Dog’s male star, Benedict Cumberbatch, was on hand to read out the absent Campion’s victory speech for her best director award.

Kenneth Branagh and his wife Lindsay Brunnock cut a glamorous pair as they posed arm-in-arm on the red carpet at this year's BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday. Director Sir Kenneth, 61, whose movie Belfast won the Outstanding British Film gong and was nominated in the Best Film category, looked dapper in a black tuxedo and crisp white shirt. Lindsay, 52, coordinated with her filmmaker partner by wearing a floor-length black dress with a leg split.

A red carpet debut! Millie Bobby Brown made her first awards show appearance with boyfriend Jake Bongiovi at the 2022 BAFTAs on Sunday, March 13.

as the British Academy Film Awards returned Sunday with a live, black-tie ceremony after a pandemic-curtailed event in 2021.Jane Campion was named best director for “The Power of the Dog,” only the third woman to win the prize in the awards’ 75-year history.Lead acting trophies went to Hollywood star Will Smith and British performer Joanna Scanlan, as an event that has worked to overcome a historic lack of diversity recognized a wide range of talents — including the first deaf acting winner in Troy Kotsur for “CODA.”Last year’s awards ceremony was largely conducted online, with only the hosts and presenters appearing in person.

Independent Spirit Awards co-hosts Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally joined the numerous Hollywood celebrities showing their support for Ukraine amid Russia's invasion of the country.  During the award show on Sunday, Mullally stated: "I think we speak for everyone here when we say that we are hoping for a quick, peaceful resolution. Specifically, f--k off and go home Putin!" "We hope Putin f---s off and goes home, and to that end let’s all join together with a Spirit Awards salute to Putin," Offerman added, according to Variety.  Per the outlet, the married co-hosts then flipped the bird to the camera.

The 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards wonderfully returned to an in-person event on Sunday. That was the good news.

“The Lost Daughter” was the big winner, but the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards will also be remembered as the year that the Indie Spirits moved away from the Oscars in more ways than one.After decades as the show that takes place the Saturday afternoon before the Academy Awards (or, a couple of times, two or three days before the Oscars), the Spirit Awards moved to a Sunday three weeks earlier, with Film Independent president Josh Welsh explaining, “Shifting earlier in the awards season will allow us to shine an even brighter light on the films and shows we are excited to celebrate.”The move was considered an attempt to influence awards season more than it could in its usual spot, which takes place after Oscar voting has stopped; this year, the Spirit Awards showcased its favorites before Academy voters could even begin casting their ballots.But the date change didn’t really matter, because the Indie Spirit Awards’ connection to and influence on the Oscars has never been more minimal. And that’s likely to be true even though a few of Sunday‘s winners – supporting actor Troy Kotsur, documentary feature “Summer of Soul” and international film “Drive My Car” – will likely repeat at the Oscars in three weeks.Nothing will come out of the Spirit Awards with awards-season momentum that it didn’t already have – because this year’s Spirit nominations were so singular, and so independent, that Academy members couldn’t vote for them if they wanted to.

The cast of Mass was honored at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards at the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday afternoon (March 6) in Santa Monica, Calif.

It was an afternoon to honor the best in independent film at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards!

Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman took aim at Vladimir Putin during their opening monologue at the Spirit Awards.

Troy Kotsur is on a winning streak!

Isabelle Fuhrman and Amy Forsyth step out on the blue carpet at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards at the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday afternoon (March 6) in Santa Monica, Calif.

Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn joked about his heart attack on stage at the Spirit Awards.

Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally didn’t hold back while hosting the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Zack Sharf Independent Spirit Awards hosts Megan Megan and Nick Offerman took a brief moment during the awards ceremony to show support to Ukraine and tell Russian president Vladimir Putin to “fuck off.” The 2022 Spirit Awards took place in Santa Monica, California as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continued overseas. Mullally and Offerman wished those in Ukraine “best wishes.”“I think we speak for everyone here when we say that we are hoping for a quick, peaceful resolution,” Mullally said.