Hollywood: In Pics: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Brie Larson win big at BAFTA 2016

In this photo taken Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, set builder Charlie Wright works on a giant replica of the BAFTA trophy which will be displayed during the forthcoming BAFTA awards ceremony on Sunday, Feb 14th, in London. (AP Photo)

The U.K. film industry showered Valentine's Day love on "The Revenant" Sunday, awarding the endurance epic five prizes, including best picture and best actor, at the British Academy Film Awards.

Leonardo DiCaprio cemented his Oscar-favourite status by taking the best-actor trophy for playing a bear-battling fur trapper in a brutally wild American West. Alejandro G. Inarritu was named best director for what he called a "human and tender story," and "The Revenant" also won prizes for cinematography and sound.

Actor Leonardo Di Caprio with his Best Actor award for his role in the film 'The Revenant' backstage at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

DiCaprio, who has been nominated three times before at the British awards without winning, said in his acceptance speech that he was "absolutely humbled" to beat "The Martian" star Matt Damon, "Trumbo'''s Bryan Cranston, Michael Fassbender for "Steve Jobs," and Eddie Redmayne for "The Danish Girl."

He cited the influence on his work of British actors including Tom Courtney, Peter O'Toole, Daniel Day Lewis and his "Revenant" co-star Tom Hardy, and sent thanks and greetings to his mother, whose birthday fell on Sunday.

The British awards, known as BAFTAs, are considered a portent of success at Hollywood's Feb. 28 Academy Awards. "The Revenant" has earned DiCaprio his sixth Oscar nomination — and, many believe, his best shot at finally winning.

Rising Star winner John Boyega poses for photographers backstage at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

DiCaprio said it was out of his hands, but expressed pride in what he called "not just a film, but an epic journey we all went on."

"We put our heart and soul into this movie ... It's up to the world now and voters to decide," he said at a post-ceremony news conference.

The best-actress trophy went to Brie Larson as a mother trying to shield her son from a terrible reality in "Room." She won out over Alicia Vikander for "The Danish Girl," Cate Blanchett for "Carol," Maggie Smith for "The Lady in the Van" and Saoirse Ronan for "Brooklyn."

Actress Kate Winslet poses with her award for Best Supporting Actress in the film 'Jobs' backstage at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

Supporting performer prizes went to Mark Rylance, a soft-spoken Soviet agent in "Bridge of Spies," and Kate Winslet, an Apple executive in "Steve Jobs."

Winslet dedicated the prize to "all those young women who doubt themselves," recalling that she once had been told to go for "the fat-girl parts."

"Look at me now!" Winslet said.

Director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu with the Best Film award for the film 'The Revenant' presented by actor Tom Cruise backstage at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

"The Revenant" beat several hotly tipped awards contenders, including Steven Spielberg's Cold War thriller "Bridge of Spies" and Todd Haynes' lesbian romance "Carol." Each had nine BAFTA nominations, but "Bridge of Spies" won only for Rylance's performance, while "Carol" was shut out.

Irish emigrant saga "Brooklyn" was named best British film, a distinct category, while the documentary prize went to "Amy," a powerful portrait of the rise and fall of singer Amy Winehouse.

George Miller's dystopian thrill ride "Mad Max: Fury Road" took four prizes: editing, production design, costume design, and hair and makeup.

Two leading Oscar contenders also won awards: "Spotlight," the drama about newspaper reporters investigating sex abuses in the Catholic Church, for original screenplay, and financial-crisis dramedy "The Big Short" for adapted screenplay.

Producer Steve Golin (3R), Mexican director, writer and producer Alejandro G Inarritu (3L), winner also of the award for a director, US producer Mary Parent (2L) and US producer Keith Redmon (2R) and US actor Leonardo DiCaprio (R), winner of the leader actor award, pose with the award for best film for 'The Revenant' with award presenter Tom Cruise (L) at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Two leading Oscar contenders also won awards: "Spotlight," the drama about newspaper reporters investigating sex abuses in the Catholic Church, for original screenplay, and financial-crisis dramedy "The Big Short" for adapted screenplay.

On a crisp, cool London winter evening, hundreds of fans gathered to watch the stars arrive at the Royal Opera House. Among the arrivals were nominees DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Fassbender, Blanchett, Spielberg, Winslet, and "Star Wars" action hero John Boyega.

Inside the plush auditorium, actor-comedian Stephen Fry hosted a ceremony that included a Valentine's-themed kiss-cam stunt which saw seatmates including DiCaprio and Maggie Smith smooch onscreen.

Australian production designer Colin Gibson poses with the award for production design for his work on the film 'Mad Max: Fury Road' at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Boyega won the Rising Star award — decided by public vote — and dedicated it to "all the young dreamers who are hard-working, who are determined and who quite frankly are amazing." ''Star Wars: The Force Awakens" won the BAFTA for visual effects.

The black comedy anthology "Wild Tales," written and directed by Argentine Damian Szifron, won for non-English language film. Famed Italian film composer Ennio Morricone, 87, received the music award for his score to Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight."

The movie awards season has been dominated by debate about why the film industry remains dominated by white men. All the acting nominees for the Oscars both this year and last have been white.

The BAFTAs are slightly more diverse, with two black actors nominated — Boyega and Idris Elba, a supporting-actor contender for "Beasts of No Nation." Pioneering black American actor Sidney Poitier — the first black best-actor Oscar winner, in 1963 — received a lifetime achievement award, the BAFTA fellowship.

Director Asif Kapadia poses for photographers with his award for Best Documentary for 'Amy' backstage at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

A group called Creatives of Colour Network organized a protest beside the red carpet against a lack of racial diversity in show business. Demonstrators rallied under the hashtag #baftablackout, and distributed leaflets declaring the awards "male, pale and stale."

The head of the British film academy said she supported the protesters' aims.

"Our industry isn't diverse enough, so the pool of people to draw award winners from isn't diverse enough," chief executive Amanda Berry told the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Like Hollywood's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the British film academy says it will work to make sure its 6,500 voting members become a more diverse group.

On the red carpet, Boyega said he was glad the issue was being aired.

"I just think a larger conversation is being had and I think that's a very, very positive thing," he said.

Magaret Sixel with her award for Editing for the film 'Mad Max' poses for photographers backstage at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP)

Naji Abu Nowar (L) and Rupert Lloyd pose with their awards for outstanding debut at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Sound editors Chris Duesterdiek, Martin Hernandez, Frank A. Montaño, Jon Taylor and Randy Thom pose with their awards for sound for their work on the film 'The Revenant' at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

(L-R) Australian hair designer and make-up artists Lesley Vanderwalt and Damian Martin pose with ther awards for make-up and hair for their work on the film 'Mad Max: Fury Road' at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Actress Angela Bassett, left, with Adam McKay and Charles Randolph who hold their awards for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film 'The Big Short' backstage at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

British actress Maggie Smith poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Actor Bryan Cranston poses for photographers upon arrival at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

US actress Julianne Moore poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Cate Blanchett poses for photographers upon arrival at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

Actress Saoirse Ronan poses for photographers upon arrival at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

Actress Annabel Wallace poses for photographers upon arrival at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

British actor Idris Elba poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

British actress Antonia Thomas poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

British actress Gemma Chan poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

British actress Gwendoline Christie poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Sonoya Mizuno poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Lily Donaldson poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Actor Eddie Redmayne poses with actress Kate Winslet who won the award for Best Supporting Actress in the film 'Jobs' backstage at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

Matt Smith poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Actress Alicia Vikander arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Jack O'Connell poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

US actor Mark Ruffalo (R) poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Actress Julianne Moore poses for photographers upon arrival at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

US actress Angela Evelyn Bassett poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Actors Carrie Fisher and Domhnall Gleeson pose after presenting the award for Best film not in the English language at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Presenters Max Irons (L) and Douglas Booth pose at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

British actress Laura Haddock poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Stephen Woolley (R) poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

British director Ridley Scott poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

British comedian Eddie Izzard poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Actress Emilia Clarke arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

British actress Hannah Arterton poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

US actress Dakota Johnson poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

British actor Michael Fassbender poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'N

Charles Randolph and Mili Avital arrive at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Presenters Olga Kurylenko and Riz Ahmed pose at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Australian actress Isla Fisher poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

British actress Julie Walters poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Actress Olga Kurylenko poses for photographers upon arrival at the BAFTA 2016 film awards at the Royal Opera House in London, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. (AP Photo)

Model Dree Hemingway arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Television presenter Angela Scanlon arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Actress Hannah Arterton arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Luciana Barroso (L) and actor Matt Damon arrive at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Actor Will Poulter arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Model Laura Bailey arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Actor Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso arrive at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

Actress Lily Donaldson arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

US actor Matt Smith poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Actress Rebel Wilson arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Swedish actress Alicia Vikander poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

French-British actress Stacy Martin poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

British actress Annabelle Wallis poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

Actress Bel Powley arrives at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards at the Royal Opera House in London, February 14, 2016. (Reuters Photo)

French actress Olga Kurylenko poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

British presenter Sarah-Jane Crawford poses on arrival for the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Opera House in London on February 14, 2016. (AFP Photo)

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