Kenneth Branagh wins first Oscar as Belfast takes best original screenplay

Kenneth Branagh has won his first Oscar following eight nominations at the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood.

Branagh took the award for best original screenplay for Belfast, his autobiographical coming-of-age film set at the advent of the Troubles.

Taking to the stage, Branagh, said his story was “the search for hope and joy in face of violence and loss”.

He then paid tribute to those “lost along the way”, including John Sessions and Jim Dornan, the father of Belfast’s star, Jamie Dornan. “We miss them, we love them, we will never forget them,” Branagh continued.

“And we will never forget all of those lost in the heartbreaking, heartwarming, human story of that amazing city of Belfast on the fabulous island of Ireland.”

Branagh, 61, is the first person to be Oscar nominated in seven different categories. He won the same award at the Baftas a fortnight ago, shortly after which he contracted Covid.

Both he and Belfast star Ciaran Hinds appear to have recovered in time for the Oscars.