Daniel Kaluuya wins BAFTA Rising Star Award

Fast rising British actor of Ugandan descent, Daniel Kaluuya won the Rising Star award at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), thanking his acting mentors and family in an emotional acceptance speech.

The 28 year old actor whose role in critically acclaimed horror film Get Out has earned him an Oscar nomination beat out stiff competition from Florence Pugh, Josh O’Connor, Timothée Chalamet and Tessa Thompson in the category.

‘‘Mum, you’re the reason why I started, the reason why I’m here and the reason why I keep going. Thank you for everything. This is yours,’‘ the Oscar nominated ‘Get Out’ star said.

Daniel Kaluuya makes an emotional #EERisingStar acceptance speech dedicated to his mum ? #EEBAFTAs pic.twitter.com/vsIlF1uWTd

— BAFTA (@BAFTA) February 19, 2018

Lupita Nyong’o who won similar plaudits for her breakthrough roles that won her an Oscar for ’12 Years A Slave’ in 2014, led the fans that congratulated Kaluuya.

Lupita and Kaluuya are part of the black dominated cast of Marvel film, Black Panther, which premiered last week and was well received in cinemas across the African continent.

What a whirlwind! Celebrating cinema at #BAFTA, especially with my friend Daniel Kaluuya who won the Rising Star Award!! LancomeUK #lancomelovesbafta pic.twitter.com/KeAVFGyZpw

— Lupita Nyong'o (Lupita_Nyongo) February 19, 2018

Congratulations, Daniel Kaluuya! The star of #GetOut and #BlackPanther wins the EE Rising Star award at this year’s #BAFTAs. pic.twitter.com/FUVUcvDYhe

— ESSENCE (@Essence) February 18, 2018

Daniel Kaluuya first Actor of ??origin wins Best Rising star award at the #BAFTA2018 – Daniel’s role in ‘Get Out’ catapulted him not only to the world stage but also earned him a 2018 #Oscar nomination for Best Actor. Heartfelt Congratulations from the #PearlofAfrica Daniel? pic.twitter.com/DS9dMDfc4l

— Tourism Uganda (@Tourismuganda) February 18, 2018

Previous winners of the Rising Star award include Tom Holland, Jack O’Connell, Will Poulter, Tom Hardy, Kristen Stewart, Noel Clarke, Eva Green and James McAvoy.

Kaluuya has also picked up Oscar, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for his role as Chris Washington in Get Out.

Founded in 1947, the BAFTAs support, promote and develop talent in film, television and video games, presenting awards to the best films and stars made every year.

This year’s awards were held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, for the second year in a row after being moved from the Royal Opera House.