The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Los Angeles (BAFTA LA) has announced that award-winning actors Idris Elba and Rob Brydon will be among the 2013 Britannia Awards line-up next month.
Idris Elba (Luther, Thor) will receive the Britannia Humanitarian Award, which recognizes those who have used their status in the film and television industry to highlight humanitarian causes.
Elba’s award is in honor of his work with The Prince’s Trust, the UK charity founded in 1976 by HRH Prince Charles to help disadvantaged youth. At age 16, Elba himself was a recipient of a Trust grant that allowed him to attend The National Youth Music Theatre – something he credits with changing his life.
He later began his work with the Trust as an anti-crime ambassador, and helped launch The Prince’s Trust Undiscovered campaign to help young people caught in the recession.
Said Gary Dartnall, Chairman of BAFTA LA:
“Idris Elba has used his success in Film and Television to turn the spotlight towards a very deserving cause. His work with the Princes Trust for disadvantaged youth is highly commendable, and in complete accord with BAFTA Los Angeles’ own work in the inner city.”
Previous recipients of the Britannia Humanitarian Award include writer Richard Curtis and actors Don Cheadle and Colin Firth.
Comedian and actor Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey, The Trip) will serve as host for the Britannia Awards.
Elba and Brydon join an already stellar Britannia Awards line-up, including honorees Benedict Cumberbatch (British Artist of the Year), Sacha Baron Cohen (Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy), Sir Ben Kingsley (Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment), Kathryn Bigelow (John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing), and George Clooney (Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film).
The Britannia Awards will be held Saturday, 9 November 2013. The broadcast of the ceremony will air in the US on BBC America on 10 November at 9 PM Eastern, and in the UK on Sky Movies on 11 November at 9 PM Eastern / 4 PM local time.
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