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Atom-bomb epic Oppenheimer has scooped the trophies at the British Academy Film Awards at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

Christopher Nolan ‘s biopic of physicist J Robert Oppenheimer has taken best film, director, best actor for Cillian Murphy, and best editing, cinematography, original score and supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr.

Nolan received a standing ovation for what was his first BAFTA win.

At the start of his acceptance speech, he said he was back the hall where his parents used to drag him “for some culture”.

Emma Stone won best actress for her role in Poor Things, while best supporting actress went to Da’Vine Joy Randolph, in The Holdovers.

Oppenheimer’s seven awards from 13 nominations fell short of the record nine won by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in 1971.

Hoyte van Hoytema in the press room after winning the Cinematography award for Oppenheimer.  Photo: AAP

It faced stiff competition from Gothic fantasia Poor Things, which had 11 nominations.

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Historical epic Killers of the Flower Moon and Holocaust drama “The Zone of Interest had nine nominations each for the prizes, officially called the EE BAFTA Film Awards.

Barbie, one half of 2023’s Barbenheimer box office juggernaut and the year’s top-grossing film, had five nominations but leaves empty-handed and missed out on nominations for best picture and best director.

Many see the omission of Barbie director Greta Gerwig — for both the BAFTAs and the Oscars — as a major snub.

Margot Robbie at the BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Festival Hall in London.  Photo: AAP

The ceremony in London, hosted by Doctor Who star David Tennant, is a glitzy, British-accented appetiser for Hollywood’s Academy Awards, closely watched for hints about who might win at the Oscars on March 10.

Prince William is guest of honour in his role as president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

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He is without his wife, Kate, who is recovering after abdominal surgery last month.

— with AAP