Director Mike Leigh will be honored by the British Academcy of Film and Television Arts by receiving the BAFTA Fellowship.
Variety reports that Leigh will receive the annual award for his work in film. Leigh will join the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, and Martin Scorsese in receiving the academy's most prestigious award.
"He is a true innovator, an artist and an exceptional film-maker, which is why last year the Film Committee voted unanimously to award him the Fellowship, the highest honour that BAFTA bestows." said BAFTA Chief Executive Amanda Berry.
Yahoo reports that Leigh said he was "delighted and surprised" by the announcement and feels honored by the academy.
Leigh has written and directed several films throughout his career including Naked and Secrets & Lies. His most recent film,Mr. Turner, has been nominated for four British Academy Film Awards and five Academy Awards.
Leigh will be presented the BAFTA Fellowship at the British Academy Film Awards on Feb. 8.
Credit: INFevents.com