BAFTA to recognize Bigelow, Kingsley in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles said Monday it will honor Kathryn Bigelow and Ben Kingsley at its 2013 Britannia Awards.

The director and actor are to be recognized at the ceremony Nov. 9 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

For the second year in a row, the BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards will be broadcast on BBC America, airing Nov. 10.

"BAFTA Los Angeles is thrilled to be honoring Sir Ben Kingsley and Kathryn Bigelow at this year's Britannia Awards," BAFTA Los Angeles Chairman Gary Dartnall said in a statement Monday. "Sir Ben is a true icon of our industry, with a proven ability to captivate film-goers around the world with his daring and powerful performances, and Kathryn is a tremendously talented and versatile director whose work consistently challenges and entertains, no matter the genre or subject matter. As previous Academy Award- and BAFTA-winning artists, BAFTA Los Angeles is proud that Kathryn and Sir Ben will join us for what is certain to be a memorable evening."

"Kathryn Bigelow made history after becoming the first woman to win an Academy Award for best director and we are honored to recognize her ground-breaking contribution to our industry as the first woman to receive the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing. With his extraordinary career as a compelling actor who has embraced a wide spectrum of roles, Sir Ben Kingsley is a global force who exemplifies what the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution stands for," Britannia Award Co-Chairs Rebecca Segal and Deborah Kolar said in a joint statement.