BAFTA Awards - H 2015
AP Images/InvisionThe British Academy of Film and Television Arts said Tuesday that U.K. arthouse cinema group Curzon will receive the annual award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema at the EE British Academy Film Awards.
The awards will be handed out on Sunday, Feb. 12, at the Royal Albert Hall in London. La La Land leads the nominations.
The Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award is presented annually in honor of Michael Balcon, a British film producer known for his work with Ealing Studios. Previous recipients include Mike Leigh, Kenneth Branagh, Ridley and Tony Scott, Working Title Films, the Harry Potter film franchise, John Hurt, Peter Greenaway, Tessa Ross and BBC Films.
Pippa Harris, chair of BAFTA’s film committee, said: “I am thrilled that BAFTA is honoring Curzon with the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award. For over 80 years, Curzon has provided the British public with unforgettable cinema experiences, while championing independent, arthouse and foreign-language filmmaking.”
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Said Philip Knatchbull, CEO of Curzon: “I’m delighted that Curzon’s contribution to film has been recognized by BAFTA. Curzon has a long and proud history in the British film industry, and many talented and passionate people have contributed to its success story over the years. We think of ourselves as champions of bold and visionary filmmaking from around the world, supported by our growing network of cinemas and home cinema digital platforms.”
The history of the Curzon U.K. cinema brand goes back to 1934, when the company’s first cinema, Curzon Mayfair, opened. Now the company has 15 cinemas, as well as distribution label Curzon Artificial Eye, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, and video-on-demand platform Curzon Home Cinema.
Curzon Artificial Eye champions “the very best of new and classic cinema in all its diversity from Britain, Europe and around the world.” Its catalog includes Wild Tales, Citizenfour, Ida, The Great Beauty, Amour, Farewell My Concubine and Babette’s Feast, among others.
