Slumdog director Danny Boyle is honoured with fellowship

Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle was last night honoured by the UK movie industry as he was awarded a British Film Institute (BFI) Fellowship.

The film-maker, lauded for his work on Slumdog Millionaire, was given the accolade at the BFI London Film Festival Awards.

The director made his breakthrough with the Edinburgh-based thriller Shallow Grave before finding global success with Trainspotting, the film of Irvine Welsh's novel set in Edinburgh's drugs underworld.

Boyle was honoured for his outstanding contribution to film culture. His latest film 127 Days – said to make uncomfortable viewing – will be screened tonight at the festival's closing night gala.

The movie follows the real-life story of Aron Ralston who cut off his own arm after being trapped by a boulder during a solo climbing expedition in Utah.