The Harry Potter franchise will receive a BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema at this year’s Orange British Academy Film Awards. While the series still has one more film to go (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2), the BAFTAs recognize that the series is already a remarkable filmmaking achievement. While the films started slow, every new movie has been better than the previous one and the series eventually managed to match the magic that author J.K. Rowling conjured in her beloved books.
Hit the jump for the full press release. Rowling and producer David Heyman will receive the award on behalf of the franchise on February 13th.
Here’s the full press release:
HARRY POTTER FILMS AWARDED BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is delighted to announce that the Harry Potter film series will receive the award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema at this year’s Orange British Academy Film Awards. JK Rowling and David Heyman will receive the award on behalf of the franchise during the ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House on Sunday 13 February 2011.
Awarded annually, the award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema was introduced in 1978 and is presented in honour of Michael Balcon. The first recipients were the Special Visual Effects team for Superman and others include Kevin Brownlow, Mike Leigh, Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jarman, Working Title, Lewis Gilbert, Channel Four Films and Pinewood & Shepperton Studios.
Starting in 2001 with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the film franchise from Warner Bros. Pictures has defined a decade of British filmmaking. As well as continually introducing exciting new performers to a global audience, the films have built a reputation for showcasing the wealth of British stage and screen acting talent.
The Harry Potter films have not only created stars in front of the camera, but have also highlighted the expertise within the British craft and technical industries, supporting a vast array of jobs throughout production. Their contribution to the British filmmaking industry was underlined last year when Warner Bros. Pictures, which has shepherded the film series from its inception, purchased Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire. Leavesden Studios has been the Harry Potter base for the past ten years.
The films are nothing short of a box office phenomenon, with the first six films in the series grossing over $5.4billion worldwide, making it the top-grossing film franchise of all time. The numbers for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1, as well as the anticipation for Part 2, opening on July 15, 2011, should ensure its place in film history for years to come.
Their achievements in filmmaking have been repeatedly recognised by industry peers, with the Harry Potter series garnering an array of nominations and awards at events across the globe. As well as notching up seven Oscar nominations, the series has so far garnered a total of 28 BAFTA nominations: five nominations at the British Academy Children’s Awards and 23 at the Film Awards, including this year’s two nominations in the Special Visual Effects and Make Up & Hair categories. In addition, the films have been nominated four times in the Children’s Awards public vote, winning twice (2003 & 2006 for The Chamber of Secrets and Goblet of Fire respectively); and also won the Orange Film of the Year public vote at the Film Awards in 2004 for The Prisoner of Azkaban.
Finola Dwyer, Chair of the Film Committee commented, “As this great British film success story draws to a close with this year’s eagerly anticipated final instalment, it’s fitting that BAFTA honours the Harry Potter films and their contribution to the British film industry. We’re delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate with JK Rowling and David Heyman at the Film Awards.”
Producer David Heyman said, “On behalf of the over 2000 people who worked in front of and behind the camera on each of the Harry Potter films I would like to say how honoured we all are to receive this Award. And thank you to Jo Rowling for entrusting us to bring her magnificent books to the screen.”
“It’s a thrill to see the Harry Potter films recognized with such a prestigious honor,” said Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. “It’s been gratifying to be part of this great franchise, and we join BAFTA in applauding our extraordinary filmmakers, our wonderful cast, and of course JK Rowling, who started it all with her beloved literary works.”
Daniel Radcliffe who plays the eponymous hero remarked, “I am thrilled that the Harry Potter film series is being honoured with this Award. I have loved every minute of making these films and to me the real heroes are the crew and the huge team of craftsmen that have made all eight of them possible – this Award is a testament to their incredible work.”
Emma Watson who plays Hermione Granger said, “This is a huge honour! I am so proud to have been part of the incredible team both in front and behind the camera that made these films. Thank you to Jo Rowling for writing such wonderful books, to David Heyman for shepherding us all through the past ten years and to all the loyal fans who have been with us throughout”
Rupert Grint who plays Ron Weasley added, “Thank you so much BAFTA for this amazing Award. We have spent half our lives making these films and are so proud of the pleasure they have given the fans and the contribution they have made to British cinema.”
The ceremony will be hosted for the fifth year by Jonathan Ross and will be broadcast exclusively on BBC One. Red carpet coverage will be hosted by Edith Bowman on BBC Three.
Creator Ryan Murphy Reveals Details on AMERICAN HORROR STORY Season 3; Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, and Evan Peters to Return
First Trailer and Poster for RED 2 Starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren and John Malkovich
16 New Images from A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD Featuring Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney and Yuliya Snigir
Watch: How THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Should Have Ended
First Trailer for SPRING BREAKERS Starring Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez, and James Franco
The standby that these films got ‘better’ with each film is pure conjecture and I’d go as far to say B.S. The first two were visually rich, solid, and fine adaptations. The third had authentic emotion and was brought vividly and creatively to the screen.
But 4 and 5 were abominable. I mean 4 was entertaining at least, but 4 and 5 were the definition of studio hack job. 6 was pretty good, but that’s because, like 1 and 2 it bothered to adapt the book. 7 was a return to form however, filled with crap editing, pointless shots, and felt draw out simply to provide and 8th film to give them more money that they don’t deserve.
I’m sure they know they could film extended them on DVD but they can’t be bothered, and the only people who ever rave about them are the uber-fans who often hate them film in a year when they realize how shallow the film actually is.
I think television would be the best medium for the next Harry Potter adaptation.
Ringbearer, I could not disagree more. All of the films have, in my opinion, been consistently great, with the standouts being 5 and 7 PT 1. Regardless, the point remains the same: the films, collectively, have done remarkable things for the British film industry at Leavesden and should be acknowledged for its culminative efforts.
Also, for all of your claims about conjecture, your generalizations of the fans who love the films are particularly amusing. Considering that the films have all been critically well-received, your point is refuted rather mightily (Goblet of Fire and PoA in particular, but the others have not fallen very far below_.
Also, I think your idea of adaptation is slavishly sticking to every plot point, hence your recommendation for a television adaptation that probably will not happen in the near future.
Furthermore, a studio hack job = bothering to cinematically put a different creative stamp on the material? With the variety of directors that this franchise has employed, I would say that the series represents the most artistically experimental of recent memory. David Yates is a great filmmaker and does not get the credit that he rightly deserves.
Also, if the uber-fans are the “only ones” who like the films (refuted, as I said, by general critical reception), why did you also claim that the films do not properly adapt the books, which would infuriate said “uber-fans/purists” the most? Your remarks are misinformed and, worse, disrespectful to those who celebrate the films.
Also, I didn’t think it felt “drawn-out” at all. Funnily enough, most people would say otherwise, that they wish the films could be longer than they are.
SW he was referring to the last film being drawn out, and thats because nothing was cut from the book.
I agree with him that 5 was pure crap, 4 was pretty much just an action film. 3 was genius for a blockbuster, the mood and tone of the film was perfect and the acting was superb; we got the best performances out of all the characters in that film.
1 and 2 were good in that corny childish way that makes you feel like you are in wonderland or something. 6 reminded me a lot of 3 and I really enjoyed it, 7 on the other hand was entertaining but still badly paced; it only made it worse that I had to walk out of the theater without any closure or ramp up. I feel cheated, but I’m reserving the negativity on that until part II comes out united they will be better I’m sure. I’ll probably watch part I then immediately go to the theater to see part II.
So 5 was really the only bad one, I mean it was boring as hell. 4 was still entertaining, but not very good replay value. Again 3 and 6 are the most watchable.
Either way a good tent-pole series by any standards, I’d take Harry Potter over Pirates of the Carri or Twilight any day.
Pirates 1 was good, but after that it was all pretty lame.
i like all the harry potter movies. i like how they use there wand and magic