Emma Thompson to be honored at the British Independent Film Awards

LONDON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson is to be presented with the Richard Harris Award at next month's Moet British Independent Film Awards ceremony at Old Billingsgate in London.

Thompson, 55, is best known for her roles in Saving Mr. Banks, Brave, Nanny McPhee, the Harry Potter franchise, Love Actually, Sense and Sensibility, The Remains of the Day and In the Name of the Father.

"I am so delighted to be receiving the Richard Harris Award at this year's MBIFAs," Thompson said in a statement Wednesday. "It is a very special award, in name of an incredible actor who inspired so many people during his career. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of my peers who have received this award before me, and look forward to celebrating a fantastic year of British independent filmmaking on Dec. 7."

Previous winners of the Richard Harris Award have included John Hurt, David Thewlis, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent, Daniel Day-Lewis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon and Julie Walters.