The British Academy Film Awards ceremony was today hit by a race controversy as a group picketed in protest against a lack of black and Asian faces in showbusiness.

‘Creatives of Colour Network’ demonstrated outside London’s Royal Opera House as the movie awards season faces continued debate about why the industry remains dominated by white men.

Competing with the screams of excited fans, the group chanted 'cameras, lights, action, diversity and satisfaction' to promote their message.

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'Lack of diversity': Creatives of Colour Network stage a demonstration outside London's Royal Opera House

Standing up: A protester looks at a camera as she highlights a perceived lack of diversity in the film industry

Banner: The demonstration has been taking place at the junction of Russell Street and Bow Street in London

And members held a banner which read: 'The TV and film industry are male, pale and stale. In fear of diversity, opportunity and inclusion. We want a quota system.'

Beasts Of No Nation star Idris Elba, who was nominated for best supporting actor, and Star Wars actor John Boyega, who won rising star, were the only black actors on this year's Bafta shortlist.

When asked on the red carpet tonight about the protest, Boyega told reporters: 'I just think a larger conversation's being had, and that's a very positive thing, so it's good to see that that's happening.'

The protesters handed out leaflets stamped with the hashtag #BaftaBlackout, which they have been using on social media. Among the onlookers was 48-year-old consultant Chidi Ejimofo.

On their own: Beasts Of No Nation star Idris Elba (left), who is nominated for best supporting actor, and Star Wars actor John Boyega (right) are the only black actors to appear in this year's Bafta shortlist

Protest: The movie awards season faces debate about why the industry remains dominated by white men

Mr Ejimofo, from Bromley, Kent, said he was supporting the protest on behalf of one of his daughters, who wants to get into the creative industries.

A larger conversation's being had, and that's a very positive thing, so it's good to see that that's happening John Boyega, Star Wars actor

He said: ‘I have a real problem with the fact that the film industry, as I see it, at present doesn't actually represent the groupings that you already have in society.

‘I find it astonishing that in a country that has so many talented actors and directors and people within the industry from ethnic minorities, you have such a gross under-representation when it comes to handing out awards, and I think that stems from the voting committee that they have in place.

‘While I can see, with this campaign, that they are asking for a quota system, personally I don't think that is the way to go.

Response: Bafta says it will work to make sure its 6,500 voting members become a more diverse group

Masks: There is anger over all the acting nominees for the Oscars both this year and last being white

Raising their voices: The organisation claim the film industry is full of people who are 'make, pale and stale'

‘I think quota systems can entrench other problems. However I think we should be looking for a fair playing field and that certainly isn't the case at present with the voting system that they have.’

I think we should be looking for a fair playing field and that certainly isn't the case at present Chidi Ejimofo, protester

The organisation’s protest comes amid anger over all the acting nominees for the Oscars both this year and last being white – and received support from Bafta chief executive Amanda Berry.

She said: ‘Not enough films are being made with diverse talent in front of the camera. Our industry isn't diverse enough, so the pool of people to draw award winners from isn't diverse enough.’

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Miss Berry added: ‘I want the awards to be as diverse as they possibly can be. But people can only vote on what they've seen.’

Hastag: The Bafta head said she did not want to ‘gloat’ that the shortlist was more diverse than the Oscars

Unhappy: The chief executive of Bafta said the charity would be setting membership targets on diversity

Controversial issue: The Oscars is again embroiled in a race row and faces a boycott from stars

Like Hollywood's Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Bafta says it will work to make sure its 6,500 voting members become a more diverse group.

Miss Berry said the charity would be setting membership targets on diversity and indicated those who decided on nominations should be ‘qualified’ and working in the film industry.

Not enough films are being made with diverse talent in front of the camera Amanda Berry, Bafta chief executive

She also said she did not want to ‘gloat’ that the acting shortlist was more diverse than the Oscars, which is again embroiled in a race row and faces a boycott from stars.

Leon Herbert, who appeared in the films Batman and Alien 3, is leading the Creatives of Colour demonstration, which has been using the hashtag #BaftaBlackout on social media.