BAFTA to fete Martin Scorsese

LONDON -- Martin Scorsese is set to be honored with a BAFTA fellowship at this year's film awards ceremony. The fellowship, which is awarded annually by BAFTA, is bestowed upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film. Scorsese will be honored for his celebrated career spanning across six decades, in which he has helmed works such as "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," "Gangs of NY," "The Aviator," "The Departed" and this year's 3D pic "Hugo." He has been nominated for a BAFTA nine times, garnering three wins in 1991 for "Goodfellas." "Martin Scorsese is a legend in his lifetime; a true inspiration to all young directors the world over," said BAFTA chairman Tim Corrie. "We are delighted to honor his contribution to cinema history and look forward to paying tribute to him in London on February 12." Previously honored Fellows include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave. Christopher Lee received the fellowship at the BAFTA film awards last year. The BAFTA film awards ceremony will unspool at London's Royal Opera House on Feb. 12. Nominations will be announced Jan. 17. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com