The Bafta awards kicked off yesterday night with the ann-ouncement that Prince William is to take over from Lord Attenborough as the British Academy's fifth president.
Taking to the stage to cheers, the Prince described the role as a "very great honour" and said he wished Lord Attenborough was well enough to be at the ceremony. He described Lord Attenborough as "one of the true greats of British film".
Prince William told the Orange British Academy Film Awards ceremony at London's Royal Opera House: "The visual arts are such a vital part of what makes up the fabric of this nation... Britain has been a world leader in so many ways, not least in its cultural achievements. From the days of Shakespeare to our own Shakes-peare in Love, British playwrights, script writers, actors, film makers and now video game designers have led the way globally, if not always in terms of resource then undoubtedly in talent and innovation... it is quite clear that the same extraordinary cultural dynamism that so infused the first Elizabethan age still drives the beating heart of British visual arts in this second Elizabethan era.
As he took to the stage, host Jonathan Ross joked blockbuster Avatar was such an "unstoppable juggernaut I thought it had been made by Toyota".
Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer was presented by Colin Firth to David Bowie's son Duncan Jones, who directed low-budget film Moon.
Mr Jones, who welled up with emotion, said: "It's taken me an awful long time to know what I wanted to do with my life. Finally, I think I've found what I love doing."
James Corden presented the short film award to I Do Air.
The short animation film award was awarded to Mother of Many.
The music award went to Michael Giacchino for Up, while The Hurt Locker received both the sound and editing awards.
Terry Gilliam presented the outstanding British contribution to cinema award to Joe Dunton. He described Mr Dunton, who recently worked on the Harry Potter series and has hundreds of films to his name, as "a genius who has been working his magic for 40 years".
Mr Dunton said: "Everyone here strives to create magic."
The cinematography award was presented by Tom Hollander to Barry Ackroyd for The Hurt Locker.
Mr Ackroyd said: "It's fantastic to get this... to come up after Joe as well... I'm very proud to receive this, thank you very much."
Mackenzie Crook and Nick Frost presented the special visual effects award to blockbuster Avatar.