Editor

At the 21st European Film Awards the European Film Academy will present honorary awards to Dame Judi Dench and Dogma founders Søren Kragh-Jacobsen, Kristian Levring, Lars von Trier, and Thomas Vinterberg.

Already established as a highly successful theatre and TV actress, Judi Dench rose to international fame for her screen roles such as Queen Victoria in John Madden’s MRS BROWN (1997) for which she received a BAFTA, Armande Voizin in CHOCOLAT by Lasse Hallström (2000) for which she was nominated for a BAFTA and for the EFA’s People’s Choice Award, Iris Murdoch in Richard Eyre’s IRIS (2001), earning her another BAFTA, and James Bond’s boss M. She collaborated again with John Madden in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1998) and with Richard Eyre in NOTES ON A SCANDAL

(2006) and has worked with directors such as James Ivory (A ROOM WITH A VIEW, 1985), Stephen Frears (MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS, 2005), and Charles Dance (LADIES IN LAVENDER, 2004).

The European Film Academy takes great pleasure in presenting Dame Judi Dench with the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD for her outstanding body of work.

Coming from Denmark, the Dogma movement has changed they way we look at

film: "In 1995, a group of Danish filmmakers rocked the film world, establishing a revolutionary set of rules for filmmaking, and invading film festivals and cinema screens with a distinctive, rough and not always comfortable look. Thus Dogma was born... without doubt it has exerted a strong influence on filmmaking and has set an astonishing example for filmmakers all over the world, demonstrating that it is possible to make successful films on a low budget, in a small film nation, and without a tripod." (Projections 15, Faber&Faber)

In recognition of a unique impulse to the world of film and honouring their dedication to European filmmaking, the European Film Academy will present Søren Kragh-Jacobsen, Kristian Levring, Lars von Trier, and Thomas Vinterberg with the award EUROPEAN ACHIEVEMENT IN WORLD CINEMA 2008.

All laureates will be among the guests at the 21st European Film Awards Ceremony on 6 December 2008 in Copenhagen.