BAFTA will honour Warwick Davis with the humanities charity’s highest accolade on the EE BAFTA Movie Awards on Sunday 16 February 2025
Recipient of the Fellowship Award, Warwick Davis, photographed by Zoe McConnell forward of the ceremony, on Tuesday 26 November 2024 at The Savoy Theatre, Strand, London, U.Ok. (Picture ©BAFTA/Zoe McConnell, 2024).
British actor, comic, presenter and producer Warwick Ashley Davis will probably be awarded the BAFTA Fellowship on the EE BAFTA Movie Awards on Sunday 16 February 2025. The BAFTA Fellowship recognises those that have made an impressive and distinctive contribution to movie, video games or tv and is the humanities charity’s most prestigious honour. Born in Epsom, Surrey, Warwick Davis is widely known for his roles in a number of of the world’s most profitable and enduring movie franchises. Davis was recognized with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, a uncommon type of dwarfism. Regardless of the bodily challenges this offered, his ardour for appearing was evident from a younger age. Past appearing, Davis can also be an entrepreneur and advocate who has devoted his profession to making a extra inclusive display trade.
Davis makes use of his platform to problem societal prejudice and champion self-empowerment, advocating that individuals with dwarfism can and do lead full and significant lives. He’s the founding father of Willow Administration, an company devoted to representing actors beneath 5 ft and over seven ft tall that at the moment is the most important company of its variety on this planet. He’s additionally co-founder of Little Individuals UK; a charity that provides friendship and monetary assist and steering to folks with dwarfism, their households and pals, and helps construct a constructive future for these people. Alongside, his Decreased Peak Theatre Firm, additionally helps actors beneath 5 foot tall and helps them construct careers within the display arts.
Davis’s profession started at age 11 as Wicket the Ewok in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983). Chosen by George Lucas himself, Davis’s efficiency introduced allure and coronary heart to the movie, successful him followers worldwide, returning to the franchise a number of instances, together with his most up-to-date contribution culminating in Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019). He then went on to star within the fantasy journey movie Willow (1988), directed by Ron Howard and produced by Lucasfilm, additional establishing his place in Hollywood.
Davis enjoys an incredible presence within the fantasy style, portraying Professor Filius and Flitwick within the Harry Potter movie franchise (2001 – 2011) and is the face of the horror-comedy Leprechaun movie franchise (1993 – current). He has additionally appeared on British tv in reveals reminiscent of Life’s Too Brief (2011–2013), which he co-created with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Service provider, mixing autobiography with comedic satire on fame.
Warwick Davis, stated: “The Fellowship, to me, embodies the spirit of inclusivity, creativity, and collaboration that BAFTA stands for. This recognition isn’t just in regards to the physique of labor I’ve contributed but additionally in regards to the individuals who’ve stood by me and the audiences who’ve made this journey worthwhile. I settle for this Fellowship in honor of everybody dwelling with dwarfism or any type of distinction, reminding us that our uniqueness might be our best asset. I additionally wish to acknowledge the fantastic colleagues and pals who’ve labored behind the scenes—costumers, make-up artists, digital camera crews—who quietly and tirelessly pour their hearts into each manufacturing. From the underside of my coronary heart, thanks for this unimaginable honor. I stay up for persevering with to champion contemporary views, advocate for higher illustration, and encourage the subsequent technology of storytellers to dream huge. Thanks, BAFTA, for believing in my journey.”
Sara Putt, Chair of BAFTA, stated: “We’re delighted to current Warwick Davis the BAFTA Fellowship award; our highest honour. Warwick is a proficient, a lot cherished and actually inspiring determine who has captivated audiences over many a long time. From his iconic performances to his advocacy for higher inclusion and illustration on and off-screen, Warwick has had a outstanding impression on cinema and been profoundly influential in fostering a extra inclusive and caring society. Massively revered by his friends each in Britain and globally for his immense creativity and keenness for the craft of storytelling, we at BAFTA are thrilled to have a good time his distinctive physique of labor and achievements on the EE BAFTA Movie Awards subsequent month.”
BAFTA Fellows beforehand honoured for his or her work in movie embody Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Christopher Lee, Martin Scorsese, Alan Parker, Helen Mirren, Mike Leigh, Sidney Poitier, Mel Brooks, Sir Ridley Scott, Thelma Schoonmaker, Kathleen Kennedy, Ang Lee and Sandy Powell. The latest recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship was Samantha Morton final yr on the 2024 EE BAFTA Movie Awards.
The EE BAFTA Movie Awards affords an unmissable celebration of the large display, celebrating the yr’s finest movies and the extraordinary expertise behind them. Voting is underway and nominations will probably be introduced on Wednesday 15 January, 12pm GMT on @BAFTA YouTube.
The 2025 EE BAFTA Movie Awards ceremony will probably be hosted by the multi-talented award-winning David Tennant on Sunday 16 February on BBC One and iPlayer within the UK, BritBox in North America, the Nordics and Australia, in addition to a bunch of additional worldwide broadcasters to be introduced.
Keep tuned and observe the motion with #EEBAFTAs.