Mike Leigh To Be Honoured With Bafta Fellowship

<p>On Sunday 8 February, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts will present Abigail's Party creator Mike Leigh with the Fellowship at the EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony at the Royal Opera House, London.</p> <p> </p><p> </p><p>Awarded annually, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games.</p><p> </p><p>Fellows previously honoured for their work in film include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Christopher Lee, Martin Scorsese and Alan Parker. Helen Mirren received the Fellowship at last year’s Film Awards.</p><p> </p><p>Mike Leigh said: “What a privilege to be honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship. I'm moved, delighted and surprised.”</p><p> </p><p>Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “Mike Leigh is one of Britain’s finest filmmakers, so I am delighted that we will honour him with the Fellowship, recognising his outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, at this Sunday’s EE British Academy Film Awards. 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. We look forward to celebrating his remarkable career.”</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4618260849.gif" width="460" height="345" alt="" title=""/></p> <p>Abigail's Party is one of Mike Leigh's most famous shows for stage and television, which many considering it cult viewing, spawning real Abigail's Party parties and the rise of cheesy pineapples and the use of quotes from the main character Beverly, portrayed by Alison Steadman The <a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/Demis-Roussos-King-Of-Kitsch-Kaftans-Dies/9320936">late Demis Roussos</a> was also featured heavily in the show's soundtrack. </p><p> </p>