La La Land has dominated the 70th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), claiming five prizes including best film, director and leading actress for Emma Stone.

The result maintains the musical’s momentum through this year’s awards season ahead of the Oscars on February 26.

“I think film, when at its best, reveals there is more tying us together than tears us apart,” said producer Jordan Horowitz.

Stone thanked BAFTA for bringing the industry together to “celebrate positive gift of creativity, how it can transcend borders and make people feel a little less alone.”

Lion‘s Luke Davies won the award for best adapted screenplay. The film also scored a win for star Dev Patel in the supporting actor category.

Australia’s Nicole Kidman, nominated in best supporting actress for her role in Lion, was left empty-handed after being beaten by Viola Davis who played Rose Lee Maxson in Fences.

Kidman earlier signed autographs for fans in the London chill, while wearing a black, low-cut and backless gown.

Kidman thanked London for supporting the film, which is about an orphan Indian boy raised in Tasmania, after it was launched in 2016 at the London Film Festival.

“It was embraced here, so you launched us, so thank you London,” Kidman said.

She also praised her co-star, British actor Patel.

“I’m just so happy he’s the leading man now and that he’s been given the platform to become a leading man, and he’s taking it with a vengeance and I’m so happy for him.”

Casey Affleck claimed the best actor award for his performance in Kenneth Lonergan’s Manchester By the Sea. 

This is an honour I’ll never forget,” said Affleck. “The reason I act is when I was a young kid my mum took me to al anon meetings for children of alcoholics. It was therapy, but it was acting and acting has sort of been that for me ever since.”

Kenneth Lonergan was awarded best original screenplay for Manchester By the Sea.

After an on-stage performance by Cirque du Soleil to open the show, host Stephen Fry took the stage. In his opening remarks he took a swipe at Donald Trump.

While welcoming Meryl Streep to the ceremony he said Streep was “one of the greatest actresses of all-time. Only a blithering idiot would think otherwise.”

Earlier, Prince William and his wife Kate walked the red carpet at London’s Royal Albert Hall with the nominees.

La La Land had 11 nominations, including best picture, best actor and best actress.

The BAFTAs are often seen as an indicator of who will win at Hollywood’s Academy Awards.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrive at the BAFTAs at Royal Albert Hall. Photo: Getty

La La Land already is a dominant force at the Oscars, with 14 nominations. It also has won seven Golden Globes.

The BAFTAs differ from their US counterpart in having a separate category for best British film. 

– With Agencies