00:00Good evening everybody. Catherine and I are once again really, really delighted to join you all this evening.
00:07Tonight we celebrate another year of exceptional filmmaking and I'm thrilled that all those involved have been recognised.
00:14I'm particularly proud to stand here tonight having served as BAFTA's president for the last 10 years.
00:21However, I must admit I don't know whether I should be proud or slightly alarmed about the number of winners
00:27over the last decade
00:28who have betrayed members of my own family.
00:34Both here in the UK and in many other countries across the world, we are lucky to have incredible filmmakers,
00:41actors, producers, directors and technicians.
00:46Men and women from all backgrounds and ethnicities enriching our lives through film.
00:53Yet in 2020, and not for the first time in the last few years, we find ourselves talking again about
01:01the need to do more to ensure diversity in the sector and in the awards process.
01:06That simply cannot be right in this day and age.
01:10I know that both PIPA, chair of BAFTA, and Amanda, BAFTA CEO, share that frustration and continue to work tirelessly
01:19to ensure that creative talent is discovered and supported.
01:24BAFTA take this issue seriously and following this year's nominations, have launched a full and thorough review of the entire
01:31awards process
01:32to build on their existing work and ensure that opportunities are available to everyone.
01:39Now back to the awards themselves.
01:42One of the great privileges I have as president is to present the fellowship, the highest honour the Academy can
01:49bestow.
01:51This year, the award goes to a simply legendary figure in film.
01:56Someone whose films I have been watching all my life and continue to watch time and time again.
02:03I couldn't be happier she is receiving this award.
02:07To tell you more about her remarkable career, please welcome Daisy Ridley and John Boyega.
02:14APPLAUSE
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