A Polish film about a young nun who finds out her parents were Jews killed in the Holocaust has won a Bafta award.
Ida won Best Foreign Language Film at the ceremony at the Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House on Sunday night, making it three wins for director Pawel Pawlikowski.
Mr Pawlikowski, who previously took honours for Last Resort and My Summer of Love, said: “I think we should just forget the formalities and award me a global lifetime achievement award.”
The Oscar-nominated film centres on Anna, an orphaned nun played by newcomer Agata Trzebuchowska.
Just before taking her vows at a convent in 1960s Poland, Anna is told by her last relative that she is Jewish, and her real name is Ida. She responds to this revelation by embarking on a journey to find out the truth about her family.
Veteran director Mike Leigh also emerged triumphant from the night, winning the most prestigious Bafta award despite his film Mr Turner missing out in four categories.
Mr Leigh, 71, received the Fellowship award for a lifetime of directing films such as the 1996 Oscar nominee Secrets & Lies, as well as last year’s biopic on artist William Turner.
The director, who was overlooked for a best director nomination this year, said he felt lucky to finally appear on the Baftas stage.
“I know some people expect me to be rude this evening. Wel,l sorry folks, you're in for a disappointment. We got four nominations tonight, and you Bafta are a democratic gang and your taste is your prerogative.
“What is important to me is that you have awarded me this Fellowship for which I am truly grateful.”
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Leigh added: “It’s a tremendous honour. When you’ve been slaving away for a million years, it’s great”.
Meanwhile, at the Grammy music awards, presented in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jess Glynne won Best Dance Recording with the dance act Clean Bandit, for the song Rather Be.
She tweeted: “I just won a Grammy. Thank you so much for making this happen!”
