Bafta honour for US film director Scorsese

Film director Martin Scorsese will be honoured at this year’s Bafta awards ceremony.

The American, whose films include Taxi Driver, Raging Bull and Hugo, will pick up the Academy Fellowship at the ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House on 12 February.

He joins names including Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg and Dame Judi Dench who were previously given the award.

Mr Scorsese said: “It is a great honour to be recognised by the British Academy and to join the ranks of such an esteemed group of industry colleagues and friends.”

The nominations for this year’s awards will be announced on Tuesday, 17 January, ahead of the ceremony, which will be hosted by Stephen Fry and shown on the BBC.

Bafta chairman Tim Corrie said: “Martin Scorsese is a legend in his lifetime; a true inspiration to all young directors the world over.”