"Ma Rainey's", "Soul" Win Awards at BAFTAs Opening Night

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, a jazz drama set in 1920s Chicago, won Saturday two awards at the opening ceremony of the BAFTA film awards.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts ceremony is being held virtually over two nights for the first time ever due to the pandemic.

The opening ceremony was hosted by BBC radio presenter Clara Amfo and held virtually from London's Royal Albert Hall.

It featured eight primarily craft-focussed awards were handed out, including casting, costume, makeup and hair, production design, sound, special visual effects, British short film, and British short animation.

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, starring Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman, won for costume design and makeup and hair.

The evening also saw actor, director, and writer Noel Clarke honored with the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award.

Other prizes went to "Sound Of Metal" for Sound, "Tenet" for Special Visual Effects, "The Owl And The Pussycat" won the British Short Animation award, "The Present" won the British Short Film award, "Mank" for production design, and "Rocks" won for casting.

The remaining awards will be handed out on Sunday, which will be hosted by Edith Bowman and Dermot O’Leary will host the second night of the awards.

About 17 awards will be announced, including Best Film, Best Actor, Actress, and the public-voted EE Rising Star Award. Each nominee will be celebrated inpidually during the show.

BAFTA will also honor Ang Lee with the Fellowship.