He may have been snubbed from the main BAFTA shortlists, but Mr. Turner director Mike Leigh will be getting at least one award at the ceremony on Feb. 8.
In an announcement made Tuesday, it was revealed that the veteran U.K. filmmaker would be the recipient of a BAFTA fellowship, the Academy’s highest honor, following in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Judi Dench and Martin Scorsese. Helen Mirren received the fellowship at last year’s film awards.
“What a privilege to be honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship,” said Leigh in a statement. “I’m moved, delighted and surprised.”
Aside from Mr. Turner., Leigh’s glittering career as a director and writer includes critically acclaimed and award-winning films such as Secrets & Lies, Vera Drake and Happy-Go-Lucky. Leigh has won four BAFTA awards over his long career, as well as garnering seven Oscar nominations for both directing and writing. He has also won the Palme d’Or at Cannes and the Golden Lion at Venice.
