Beatty to get special Bafta as stars gather in London
February 24, 2002

SOME of the biggest names in show business will be on hand to witness veteran actor Warren Beatty being honoured at the Baftas tonight for his outstanding contribution to world cinema.

The Oscar-winning star will receive the annual Academy Fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed on an individual, during a glittering ceremony at the Odeon Leicester Square in London.

The Baftas ceremony, hosted by comic Stephen Fry, is set to attract a glittering list of stars, including Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Harvey Keitel, Halle Berry and Kate Winslet.

Beatty follows in the footsteps of Hollywood legends Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Elizabeth Taylor and Stanley Kubrick who have previously been given the award.

Bafta chairman Simon Relph said Beatty was one of the most versatile and gifted film makers.

"His contribution to the film industry cannot be underestimated and we are delighted to honour his work with this award."

Beatty shot to fame when he produced and starred in cult film Bonnie and Clyde in 1967. He had a string of hit movies, including Reds (1981) for which he won the best director Oscar, Dick Tracy (1990) and Bugsy (1991).

In his latest film, he stars alongside Uma Thurman in Quentin Tarantino's action thriller Kill Bill.

The awards, now in their 55th year, are seen as a significant pointer to the real Oscars which are being held in a month's time.

Fantasy epic Lord of the Rings and the lavish Baz Luhrmann musical Moulin Rouge lead the field after being short-listed for 13 awards.

Dame Judi Dench and Jim Broadbent are both up for two awards in the acting categories. Dame Judi is up for best actress for Iris and best supporting actress for The Shipping News.

Broadbent is nominated for best actor in Iris, and best supporting actor for Moulin Rouge.

Here are some of the major awards to be decided tonight.

Best film: Amelie; A Beautiful Mind; The Lord of the Rings; Moulin Rouge; Shrek.

Outstanding British film: Bridget Jones' Diary; Gosford Park; Harry Potter and Philosopher's Stone; Iris; Me Without You.

Best original screenplay: Amelie; Gosford Park; Moulin Rouge; The Others; The Royal Tenenbaums.

Best actress: Dame Judi Dench (Iris); Nicole Kidman (The Others); Sissy Spacek (In The Bedroom); Audrey Tautou (Amelie); Renee Zellweger (Bridget Jones' Diary).

Best actor: Jim Broadbent (Iris); Russell Crowe (A Beautiful Mind); Sir Ian McKellen (The Lord of the Rings); Kevin Spacey (The Shipping News); Tom Wilkinson (In The Bedroom).

Best supporting actress: Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind); Dame Judi Dench (The Shipping News); Helen Mirren (Gosford Park); Dame Maggie Smith (Gosford Park); Kate Winslet (Iris).

Best supporting actor: Hugh Bonneville (Iris); Jim Broadbent (Moulin Rouge); Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone); Colin Firth (Bridget Jones' Diary); Eddie Murphy (Shrek).

Best foreign language film: Amelie; Amores Perros; Behind the Sun; Monsoon Wedding; The Piano Teacher.

Best cinematography: Amelie; Black Hawk Down; Lord of the Rings; The Man Who Wasn't There; Moulin Rouge.

Source: Unison.ie