Oscar-nominated actor, Riz Ahmed will be presented with the Richard Harris Award which is given to an actor or actress who has “contributed significantly to British films throughout their career”.<\/p>\n
The Sound of Metal<\/span><\/em> and <\/span>The Night Of<\/span><\/em> actor has been a regular at British Independent Film Awards (BIFA), winning eight awards in total from the Brit indie ceremony. Last year, he picked up the Best Debut Screenwriter award for <\/span>Mogul Mowgli,<\/span><\/em> his first foray into feature film writing, and the Best British Short Film BIFA for <\/span>The Long Goodbye.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n This year, he is nominated in the best actor category for Michael Pearce\u2019s Encounter<\/em>.<\/p>\n Riz will be joining the ranks of previous honorees, including Kristin Scott Thomas, Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Daniel Day-Lewis, Helena Bonham Carter, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Julie Walters, John Hurt, Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent and Glenda Jackson.<\/p>\n \u201cI am grateful to the British Independent Film community for their immense support throughout all these years,\u201d said Riz according to an official report<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cTo receive the Richard Harris Award at the BIFAs this year is a true honor, I hope to be able to continue to learn from those who came before me while encouraging the rising generation to follow their creative dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n Riz has also become one of the most notable British advocates for diversity on screen, recently launching a new initiative for Muslim representation in media.<\/p>\n I'm fed up of seeing Muslim characters on screen either negative or non existent. The industry must change. Our new study proves what many of us always felt about #MuslimsInFilm<\/a>. The cost is measured in hate & lost lives. Full speech here: https:\/\/t.co\/bsfpQw4Wfe<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2itt6IaESB<\/a><\/p>\n — Riz Ahmed (@rizwanahmed) June 10, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n