Golden Globes 2023: Colin Farrell among early winners

Irish actor Colin Farrell is among the early winners at the Golden Globe Awards, which are taking place in Los Angeles.

Farrell was named best actor in a musical or comedy film for his role in The Banshees of Inisherin.

"I never expect my films to find an audience, and when they do it's shocking for me," he told the crowd.

Other winners so far include Michelle Yeoh and Austin Butler, who both won major film acting prizes.

The Globes are being held after two years of controversy surrounding the organisation behind the ceremony, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

But despite speculation that many stars would stay away from this year's ceremony, most of the winners so far have been present to collect their awards.

The Banshees of Inisherin sees Farrell reunited with director Martin McDonagh and co-star Brendan Gleeson. The trio previously worked together on the cult film In Bruges.

"Martin McDonagh, I owe you so much. You changed the trajectory of my life forever in ways that I, begrudgingly, will be grateful to you for the rest of my days," Farrell joked.

"And Brendan, I love you so much. All I did when I came to work every day was to aspire to be your equal. I'm not saying I even got there but the aspiration kept me going."

McDonagh won the prize for best screenplay for the same film. He joked he would "try not to leave it another 14 years" before working with the same team again.

Accepting her award for best actress in a musical or comedy film for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once

Yeoh said: "I turned 60 last year. And I think all of you women understand this: as the days, the years and the numbers get bigger, it seems like opportunities start to get smaller.

"And I probably was at a time when I thought, 'well hey, you had a really good run, you worked with some of the best people... then along came the best gift - Everything Everywhere All at Once."

The madcap sci-fi movie sees Yeoh play a laundrette worker who hops through the multiverse exploring different versions of herself.

Elsewhere, Butler won the Golden Globe for best actor in a drama film for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's biopic..

"I just am so grateful right now, I'm in this room full of my heroes," Butler said. "I want to also say to my fellow nominees, you have turned in the most beautiful, profound work and I'm so honoured and proud to be listed among you.

"I owe this to a bold, visionary filmmaker who allowed me the experience to take risks and I always knew I would be supported. Baz Lurhmann, I love you. And lastly, Elvis Presley himself. You were an icon and a rebel. I love you so much."

Cate Blanchett was named best drama actress for her performance in Tar, but was not present to collect the prize as she is working on a production in the UK.

Steven Spielberg won best director for his autobiographical drama The Fabelmans. "I put a lot of things in my way with this story," he said. "I told this story in parts and parcels all through my career but I never had the courage to hit the story head-on."

There was another victory for Everything Everywhere All at Once earlier in the night - when Ke Huy Quan was named best supporting actor.

The star, who acted as a child alongside Harrison Ford in the Steven Spielberg-directed Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, became emotional as he accepted the trophy.

"I was raised to never forget where I came from, and to always remember who gave me my first opportunity. I am so happy to see Steven Spielberg here tonight," he said.

Angela Bassett, who won best supporting actress for her performance in Wakanda Forever, used her acceptance speech to pay tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who starred in the first Black Panther film.

"We embarked on this journey together with love. We were surrounded each and every day by the light and the spirit of Chadwick Boseman," she said.

"With this historic Black Panther series, it is part of his legacy that he helped to lead us to. We showed the world what black unity, leadership and love looks like beyond, behind and in front of the camera."

Winners in the TV categories so far include two stars from the popular school comedy Abbott Elementary - Tyler James Williams and Quinta Brunson.

In the musical categories, composer Justin Hurwitz was recognised for his Babylon score, while best original song went to Naatu Naatu from the Indian action film RRR.

The song held off competition in the same category from pop music heavyweights Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

Pinocchio director Guillermo del Toro referenced the fact that this year's ceremony was the first Globes to be televised since the pandemic. "I'm happier to be with you in person, we're back. Some of us are drunk, what can be better?" he joked.

But he also took the opportunity to champion the craft of animated films. "It's been a great year for cinema of all sizes and ambitions, big swings, intimate movies, and therefore it's been a great year for animation, because animation is cinema," he said. "Animation is not a genre for kids, it is a medium."

Elsewhere, actor Sean Penn introduced a message from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and paid tribute to those struggling in conflict around the world.

Mr Zelensky said that it was "clear" that the "tide was turning" in the ongoing war in his country, and that Ukraine would be triumphant in its struggle.