BAZ BAMIGBOYE: Glittering night for Carey Mulligan and the Oscar Brits
British director and actress Emerald Fennell won the Oscar for best original screenplay last night.
UK stars reeled in an impressive 29 nominations at the 93rd awards.
Miss Fennell, 35, who was nominated for Promising Young Woman, debuted her baby bump on the red carpet in Los Angeles, where she was also nominated as best director.
The film’s star, Carey Mulligan, 35, was nominated as best actress. The ceremony was dubbed the ‘Odd-scars’ – a ceremony unlike any other in Academy Awards history.
Golden girl: Carey Mulligan in Valentino Haute Couture
Purple haze: Halle Berry in striking lavender gown
My Favourite night: Olivia Colman at London screening
But even though stars were collecting their awards in person, celebrations were muted, with only around 170 guests – a fraction of the usual 3,000.
The nominees were banned from accepting awards via Zoom. Instead, they dressed up to collect their gongs from Covid-safe locations across the globe.
Stars had to socially distance, wear masks and take Covid tests and temperature checks.
For the first time the event was split across two venues in Los Angeles – the Dolby Theatre and the Union Station railway terminus.
Classic Hollywood: Mank star Amanda Seyfried in Armani
Great success: Borat’s Maria Bakalova in Louis Vuitton
UK nominees attended the British Film Institute at London’s Southbank, while French ones were at a studio in Paris.
Maria Bakalova, 24, nominated as best supporting actress for the mockumentary Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, went full princess, wearing a white Louis Vuitton gown with a deep V, subtle sequins and lots of tulle.
Mank star Amanda Seyfried, 35, looked stunning in Armani, while Halle Berry, who joined stars such as Brad Pitt to present awards, posed in lavender.
Olivia Colman, 47, an Oscar- winner two years ago, hoped for a double as she was up for best supporting actress in The Father at the London ceremony. The movie won Best Adapted Screenplay.
Glenn Close paired a jewel-tone blue embellished caftan from Armani Prive with dark slacks and gloves.
She was nominated for best supporting actress for Hillbilly Elegy – making it the eighth time she has been nominated for an Academy Award.