*The British Academy of Film and Television Arts will bestow on Sidney Poitier its highest honor, the Fellowship, at the BAFTA Film Awards on Feb. 14, reports Variety.
The Fellowship, which is awarded annually, is given to an individual in recognition of “an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games.”
Previous recipient of the honor include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench and Martin Scorsese. Mike Leigh received the Fellowship at last year’s film awards.
Poitier said: “I am extremely honored to have been chosen to receive the Fellowship and I would like to express my deep appreciation to the British Academy for the recognition.”
Amanda Berry, chief executive of BAFTA, said: “Sidney is a luminary of film whose outstanding talent in front of the camera, and important work in other fields, has made him one of the most important figures of his generation. His determination to pursue his dreams is an inspirational story for young people starting out in the industry today. By recognizing Sidney with the Fellowship at the film awards on Sunday 14 February, BAFTA will be honoring one of cinema’s true greats.”
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