Women In Film And Television Honours Julie Walters

Golden Globe and BAFTA award-winning stage and screen actress Julie Walters is the latest British star to be honoured by Women in Film and Television (WFTV).

In December, she will receive their highest accolade - the Lifetime Achievement Award 2008.

Walters has become one of the UK's best loved actresses during her 34-year career, with a string of diverse roles to her name. She first achieved fame in partnership with Victoria Wood in a variety of popular TV shows including 'Victoria Wood As Seen On TV'.

It was in this show that Walters appeared as the legendary Mrs Overall, in the spoof soap opera sketch 'Acorn Antiques'.

Her break into film came with 'Educating Rita' in 1983, where she put in an award-winning performance alongside Michael Caine.

Other highlights include leading roles in 'Billy Elliot', 'Calendar Girls' and 'Harry Potter', as well as TV's 'Ahead of The Class' and 'My Beautiful Son'. Most recently she starred alongside Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth in 'Mamma Mia', which has just been announced as the biggest grossing British film of all time at the UK box office.

Kate Kinninmont, Chief Executive of WFTV UK, said: "Julie has undoubtedly become one of the country's national treasures and she has amassed an extraordinary body of work in a relatively short number of years.

"At only 58, she is the youngest ever recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award, a great testament to her talent and creativity," she commented.

Julie Walters said: "I feel extremely privileged to be the recipient of such a great award.

"The world of film and television is represented by a raft of talented women, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fabulous women I have worked, laughed and cried with in the course of my career!"

WFTV is the premiere membership organisation for women working in film, television and digital media.

Their members come from all areas of the industry, including producers, directors, actors, presenters, interactive content creators, composers, designers, editors, directors of photography, researchers and writers.

The Target EFTV Awards Luncheon 2008 will be held at the Hilton on Park Lane on December 5 and will be sponsored by The Target Entertainment Group.

Previous recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award include Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Judi Dench and Dame Diana Rigg.

(KMcA)