Emma Thompson to be Honored at Munich Film Festival

This summer is turning out to be a big season for Emma Thompson (Sybill Trelawney)! After being named a dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, Thompson will be recognized at the 36th Munich International Film Festival in Munich, Germany.

The festival’s website describes the CineMerit Award as an award established in 1997 as a way to honor “outstanding personalities in the international film community for extraordinary contributions to motion pictures as an art form.”

The CineMerit Awards will honor Thompson with a lifetime achievement award on June 29, when her newest film, The Children’s Act, will be screened. Thompson’s Academy Award-winning films, Howards End (Best Actress in a Leading Role) and Sense and Sensibility (Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published), will also be screened at the festival, along with her beloved children’s film, Nanny McPhee. Thompson is the only person in history to have won Academy Awards for both acting and writing.

Terry Gilliam will also be recognized with a CineMerit Award for his work in directing. Gilliam is also notable for his work with comedy group Monty Python, which counted Harry Potter actor John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick) among its cast. His new film, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote, will be screened at his July 2 gala.

Julie Christie, who played Madam Rosmerta in the Harry Potter films, was a CineMerit Award winner in 2008.

Congratulations to this year’s Munich International Film Festival honorees!