BAFTA LA to Honor Jodi Foster, Ricky Gervais & More with Special Portraits

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles (BAFTA Los Angeles) has commissioned British artist Lincoln Townley to create a suite of portraits in celebration of the 2016 British Academy Britannia Award honorees - Jodie Foster, Ricky Gervais, Samuel L. Jackson, Felicity Jones, Ang Lee, and Ewan McGregor. Townley has generously donated these works of art which will be sold immediately following the event to raise funds for BAFTA Los Angeles' ongoing educational and community outreach programming. The 2016 AMD British Academy Britannia Awards presented by Jaguar Land Rover and American Airlines will take place on Friday, October 28, 2016 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Lincoln Townley Portrait Jodie Foster 2016"We are thrilled to have Lincoln Townley back as part of the Britannias' experience this year," said BAFTA Los Angeles CEO Chantal Rickards. "His work is nothing short of extraordinary and we are honoured that he has created these works of art to help support our ongoing education and philanthropy efforts. The limited edition prints will be on sale shortly. His work is now internationally acclaimed and we are very touched by Lincoln's generosity."

Lincoln Townley is a world-renowned British artist known for his ability to capture the creative and sometimes turbulent energies that drives the world's most iconic stars to perform at the peak of their powers.

He has been commissioned to paint many of the world's biggest icons including Charlie Sheen, Al Pacino, Sir Michael Caine and his original oil paintings of demons drawn from the unconscious mind, have been exhibited at major international galleries including the National Gallery and the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Just this month, Townley presented an exhibition at The Saatchi Gallery in London.

As part of its ongoing commitment to incorporating Virtual Reality into its broader remit, the Britannias will also feature several VR components. Two cameras will cover the event, a Nokia Ozo and a Jaunt, to help provide a fully immersive experience of both the red carpet arrivals and award ceremony.

"In the year when we have launched our BAFTA global VR Advisory Group we're thrilled to be creating the Britannias' first ever Virtual Reality content from the red carpet and the Awards ceremony," added Rickards.

Source & Image: BAFTA.org

As previously announced, Ang Lee will be honored with the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing, Samuel L. Jackson will be honored with the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment, Ricky Gervais will be honored with the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy, Ewan McGregor will be honored with the Britannia Humanitarian Award, Felicity Jones will be honored with the British Artist of the Year presented by Burberry, and Jodie Foster will be honored with the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film. World-renowned television and event production company Done + Dusted will produce the ceremony.

The British Academy Britannia Awards is BAFTA's BIG NIGHT OUT in Hollywood, where Brits and anglophiles alike come together in celebration of exceptional individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing the art forms of the moving image in the US, UK and beyond. Known to be an enjoyable evening that captures a unique blend of sincerity and British irreverence, the evening also serves to celebrate the long-standing collaboration between the British and American industries. THE BRITANNIA AWARDS are BAFTA Los Angeles' highest accolades, recognizing both outstanding British talent, and exceptional international talent by virtue of their strong connection to the British industry through their body of work. Proceeds from the event support BAFTA Los Angeles' on-going education, scholarship, community outreach and archival projects.