Movies

Judi Dench to Get British Independent Film Awards Honor. The Oscar winner will receive the Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution at the ceremony Dec. 2 in London. Judi Dench may not be considered to be among this season's awards contenders but she's still set to bag herself an honor. The Oscar winner has been named the recipient of the Richard Harris Award for outstanding contribution by an actor to British film at the 2018 edition of the British Independent Film Awards, in recognition of her "distinguished career in the U.K. and advocacy of the British film industry across the globe." Now in its 17th year, the Richard Harris Award has previously been bestowed upon Daniel Day-Lewis, Helena Bonham Carter, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Julie Walters, John Hurt, Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent, Alison Steadman, Bob Hoskins and, in 2017, Vanessa Redgrave. "Dangerous on stage, on screen and apparently behind the wheel of a car, Dame Judi Dench and Richard Harris have a lot in common!," said Jared Harris, in whose father's memory the award is granted. "We are delighted that she has agreed to accept this award. Dame Judi has stolen every scene she has ever been in and stolen our hearts along the way. Although she hates being called a national treasure and prefers to be thought of as a jobbing actor, she is undeniably both the standard bearer and the gold standard for British actors." Dench's hugely diverse career -- which has included iconic roles in A Room With a View, Philomena, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and seven James Bond films -- has seen her earn an Academy Award, 10 BAFTAs and a record eight Laurence Olivier Awards, with performance. "It has been my absolute privilege to spend almost 60 years working in the British film industry, one of the most vibrant and creative homes for filmmakers in the world," she said. "To be recognized with this award, which bears the name of the great Richard Harris and counts some of my favorite actors and actresses amongst its past recipients is a source of deep pride and a very special honor." The 2018 BIFA awards ceremony takes place Dec 2 in London. (Hollywood Reporter)