The prize will be handed out at the awards
ceremony at the end of this year's London film festival, which runs from Oct.
13-28. Boyle's "127 Hours" is also the annual event's closing film
this year. "I am shocked, flattered and delighted to receive the
fellowship on behalf of everyone who has helped me make the films, the
successful ones and the not so successful ones, and on behalf of all the runts
in every litter," he said. The London film festival showcased
"Slumdog Millionaire" in 2008 and it went on to garner huge critical
and commercial success including eight Oscars, one of them best picture.
"127 hours" is also one of 12 movies shortlisted for the best film
award at this year's festival. It is based on the true story of mountaineer
Aron Ralston who was forced to cut off his own arm when he was trapped for
nearly five days by a boulder. Also nominated were ballet story "Black
Swan", starring Natalie Portman, Russian picture "How I Ended This
Summer," French religious drama "Of Gods and Men" and Thailand's
"Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives," which won the Palme
d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
