Boyhood, which was filmed over the course of 12 years, has received the BAFTA for best film from Tom Cruise - placing it in poll position for success at the Oscars in two weeks' time.
Patricia Arquette, who starred in the coming-of-age drama, was named best supporting actress at tonight's awards show. The best director award went to Boyhood's Richard Linklater.
Eddie Redmayne has been given the leading actor award, as his film The Theory of Everything picked up the gong for outstanding British film.
Stephen Hawking, whose life was documented in The Theory of Everything, was invited as a special guest to the ceremony – and presented the award for special visual effects to Interstellar. He was given a standing ovation by the audience.
The BAFTA for leading actress has gone to Julianne Moore for her portrayal in Still Alice.
Meanwhile, JK Simmons was announced as best supporting actor after playing a tyrannical music teacher in Whiplash. After receiving the gong from Reese Witherspoon, he said: "This whole experience has been a gift to me."
Best cinematography went to Emmanuel Lubezki for his work on Birdman.
'Favourite academy'
The creators of the Lego Movie gave a rather tongue-in-cheek acceptance speech after winning the BAFTA for best animated film.
After being snubbed at the Oscars, where they failed to pick up a single nomination, the filmmakers described BAFTA as their "favourite academy".
Whiplash was recognised for its technical excellence during the awards ceremony, winning gongs for best editing and best sound.
Also collecting multiple gongs for work behind the scenes was The Grand Budapest Hotel, which won five BAFTAs. They were for best screenplay, best score and best production design, as well as make-up and hair and costume design. Ralph Fiennes collected original screenplay award on behalf of Wes Anderson.
A letter written by the director and delivered on stage read: "If Ralph Fiennes is reading this… I must have won a BAFTA. I was already most unhappy to be missing the ceremony – now I am really, really angry and resentful. I am furious."
Tributes were also paid to Lord Richard Attenborough, the filmmaker who died last year.
The former BAFTA president was praised for his "passion for nurturing, supporting and developing talent" by the Duke of Cambridge.
"I hope that everyone who watches his films and learns about him as a person will be encouraged to follow his example," Prince William added.
Pride – the tale of an unlikely alliance between striking miners and gay activists in South Wales – picked up the award for an outstanding debut by a British writer, actor, director or producer.
Pawel Pawlikowski's Ida walked away with the award for film not in the English language.
