LAST UPDATE | 28 mins ago

HAMNET HAS WON its first award at the 79th British Academy Film Awards this evening.

The Irish-lead film won Outstanding British Film. It was up against Cillian Murphy’s film Steve, which he starred in and produced. The drama is a British-Irish co-production. 

Hamnet’s stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal are among the Irish nominees the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London, where the awards show is hosted.

Mescal, who was up for Supporting Actor, missed out on the award which went to Sean Penn for One Battle After Another. 

Buckley, who is nominated for Leading Actress, is widely expected to nab tonight’s award after a winning streak.

Paul Mescal pictured with his girlfriend, American singer Gracie Abrams, on the red carpet this evening. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Hamnet is nominated for 11 Baftas – including Best Film, Outstanding British Film and Best Director for Chloé Zhao. It has so far lost out in seven of its nominated categories, and won in one.

Dublin and London-based production company Element Pictures are behind films Bugonia, Pillion and My Father’s Shadow, which have a total of nine nominations between them, so there’s also hope here.

Cillian Murphy pictured this evening in London. He's to present an award this evening. James Manning / PA James Manning / PA / PA

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein are leading the awards at present, with Ryan Coogler’s Sinners close behind.

For a full rundown of the Irish hopes and general expectations, you can see here. We’ll keep you updated on the events of the evening.