The 'Nomadland' cast and crew are seen via a video link during the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards

The US road movie "Nomadland" triumphed at the Bafta film awards on Sunday, with Chinese director Chloe Zhao's intimate portrayal of marginalised Americans winning in four categories including best film, best actress and best director.

The socially distanced and largely remote awards ceremony in London saw a strong showing by women directors in the run-up to this month's Oscars.

The British academy has sought to improve diversity and Zhao was one of four women nominated for "best director".

Zhao welcomed stronger representation for women film-makers in comments to journalists afterwards, saying: "It's about time, it's great."

British director Emerald Fennell also carried off two awards for her debut feature, "Promising Young Woman" starring Carey Mulligan.

 Chinese director Chloé Zhao reacting after winning the award for Best Director for her work on the film  'Nomadland.'

The Oscar-tipped thriller is about a woman who avenges a friend's rape by pretending to be drunk in bars and then turning the tables on men who prey on her.

The film, which has elements of comedy and horror, won for outstanding British film and original screenplay.

Zhao accepted Nomadland's multiple awards dressed casually in a plaid shirt from Los Angeles, saying that she planned to start the day with celebrations.

"Tomorrow morning, I will be very hungover," she said.

"Nomadland" is one of the frontrunners for this month's Oscar awards, with six nominations including for best picture, best director and best actress.

Last month it won coveted Golden Globe awards for best drama film and best director.

 Director Chloe Zhao, left, appears with actress Frances McDormand on the set of "Nomadland."

Welsh actor Sir Anthony Hopkins won the best actor Bafta for "The Father" about a man suffering from dementia, directed by France's Florian Zeller.

An emerging star, 19-year-old Bukky Bakray, won the EE Rising Star award, chosen by public vote, for "Rocks", a coming-of-age drama set in London.

She made her debut after being discovered through open auditions.

Dressed in a pink satin gown, she made her acceptance speech to screams of joy from her family and a hug from her mother.

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'Diet Bafta'

The socially distanced ceremony was held at London's Royal Albert Hall with awards presented on stage to an empty auditorium.

The winning actors and film-makers mostly decked out in dinner jackets and evening dresses accepted awards on video calls from their living rooms and hotels, some with family members reacting emotionally in the background.

One of the award presenters, comedian Youssef Kerkour described the stripped-back ceremony as "diet Bafta".

Prince William had been due to participate in the ceremony, but he pulled out following the death of his grandfather Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.