Mike Leigh: BAFTA Fellowship 2015

Mike Leigh, renowned British filmmaker, says he feels “moved, delighted and surprised” to be given the 2015 BAFTA Fellowship.

Leigh was recognised for his outstanding and exceptional contribution to film including BAFTA-nominated  Naked and BAFTA-winning Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy and Vera Drake. 

His award-winning career features three BAFTA wins and a BAFTA Special Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. he also received a John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence from BAFTA Los Angeles last year. And he’s been nominated for a BAFTA 11 times. 

The Fellowship was presented by Sally Hawkins and Imelda Staunton at the EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 8 February. 

Watch him collect his award below:

Beginning his career as an actor, Leigh moved on to become a theatre director and playwright in the mid-1960s and then a television and film director in the 1970s and 80s.  

He’s known for improvising with actors during rehearsals to build characters and develop plot. 

Most recently he wrote and directed historical drama Mr. Turner, which received four nominations at this year’s EE British Academy Film Awards. 

“Mike Leigh is one of Britain’s finest filmmakers. So, I’m delighted that we will honour him with the Fellowship, recognising his outstanding and exceptional contribution to film,” said BAFTA CEO Amanda Berry. 

“He is a true innovator, an artist and an exceptional filmmaker, which is why last year the Film Committee voted unanimously to award him the Fellowship, the highest honour that BAFTA bestows.” 

“How lucky we all are to happen to be born in this magical age of cinema. To be able to capture life and share it with audiences – it is glorious isn’t it?” – Mike Leigh

Awarded every year by the Academy, the BAFTA Fellowship is the highest accolade given to an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, games or TV. Previous Fellows include Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier and Judi Dench.

For more inspiring stories from the world of film, games and TV explore our BAFTA Award Stories.