LONDON 16 January 2026
Frankenstein. Writer/Director/Producer Guillermo del Toro of Frankenstein. Cr. John Wilson/Netflix © 2025.
Guillermo del Toro will be honoured with the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film at the 46th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards on Sunday, 1 February 2026. The director and writer of Frankenstein will join a long list of recipients of the annual award, named in memory of legendary British film critic Dilys Powell. The filmmaker, writer and producer has left an indelible mark on global cinema and the London Critics’ Circle are thrilled to celebrate his substantial achievements.
Del Toro said: “Thank you to the London Film Critics’ Circle. It’s an honour to receive the Dilys Powell Award from a group I greatly admire and to join such an esteemed group of recipients. Working in this industry continues to be the joy of a lifetime.”
Since releasing his debut feature film, Cronos, in 1993, del Toro has captivated audiences worldwide with imaginative, memorable worlds and emotionally-driven fantastical stories. He has won countless awards, including three Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards and two Golden Globes, notably winning the Venice Film Festival Golden Lion, an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Director for The Shape of Water. Over the course of his career, del Toro has directed and produced numerous acclaimed films, including The Devil’s Backbone, Pan’s Labyrinth, Mimic, Hellboy, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. His most recent film, a reflective, critically-acclaimed interpretation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, was released in 2025 via Netflix. In May, the BFI will award del Toro with their highest accolade, a BFI Fellowship, which recognises his extraordinary contribution to film.
Jane Crowther, Chair of the London Film Critics’ Circle, said: “We’re delighted to honour such a visionary director for his exemplary world-building and invention, which has provided escape, wonderment and comfort to our membership during his career.”
Previous recipients of the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film include Michelle Yeoh, Ken Loach, Sandy Powell, Kenneth Branagh, Sally Potter, Pedro Almodovar and Kate Winslet. Last year, the London Critics’ Circle awarded the honour to James Bond star Daniel Craig.
The winners in all categories for 46th annual London Critics’ Circle Film Awards will be announced at The May Fair in London on 1 February 2026 during a ceremony hosted by acclaimed critic Mark Kermode. Sponsors for the upcoming awards ceremony include The May Fair, Double Dutch, Fords Gin, Excel Executive Cars, Gusbourne Sparkling Wine, Hackney Gelato, Lay & Wheeler, MTA Digital, Onlooker.tv and Wild Idol. Awards category sponsors include Abbey Road Studios, BFI Player, BritBox, Celtx, Cinemadix, Heaven Skincare, Hollywood Authentic, Regent Street Cinema, SeeSaw Media and WS Hair Pro.
The London Film Critics’ Circle is one of the oldest and most distinguished critical bodies in the UK, and is part of the wider Critics’ Circle, which was established in 1913. The awards are voted on by 207 members of the Film section, who represent print, digital, broadcast and social outlets. Films are eligible if they are released in UK cinemas or on premiere streaming services between
mid-February 2024 and mid-February 2025. The awards have been presented annually since 1980. The film section is chaired by Jane Crowther, editor of Hollywood Authentic.
Notes for Editors:
For further information, please contact: criticscircleawards@gmail.com
Media contacts:
Louisa Facey at DDA, Louisa.Facey@ddaglobal.com
Rowan Grove at DDA, Rowan.Grove@ddaglobal.com
The Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film Previous Winners: 1991 Dirk Bogarde
1992 Freddie Young
1993 Christopher Lee
1994 Richard Attenborough
1995 Wendy Hiller
1996 John Mills
1997 Michael Caine
1998 John Hurt
1998 Albert Finney
1999 Mike Leigh
2000 Richard Harris
2001 Charlotte Rampling
2002 Lewis Gilbert
2003 Tom Courtenay
2004 Ken Loach
2005 Bryan Forbes
2006 Leslie Phillips
2007 Julie Walters
2008 Judi Dench
2009 Quentin Tarantino
2010 Kristin Scott Thomas
2011 Nicolas Roeg
2012 Helena Bonham Carter
2013 Gary Oldman
2014 Miranda Richardson
2015 Kenneth Branagh
2016 Isabelle Huppert
2017 Kate Winslet
2018 Pedro Almodovar
2019 Sally Potter
2019 Sandy Powell
2023 Michelle Yeoh
2024 Jeffrey Wright
2025 Daniel Craig
About the Critics’ Circle:
Established in 1913, the Critics’ Circle is the oldest organisation of its kind in the world, with more than 450 members who work in the UK media as critics of art and architecture, books, dance, drama, film and music.
About Guillermo del Toro:
Mexican-born filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has created a distinctive cinematic style mixing the world of horror, fantasy, and exuberant personal visual imagery. Since his 1993 feature debut, Cronos, he has directed and produced numerous acclaimed films including The Devil’s Backbone, Pan’s Labyrinth, Mimic, Hellboy, Pacific Rim, Crimson Peak and The Shape of Water, which was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won four, including Best Picture and Best Director. His first stop-motion feature, Pinocchio, which he directed alongside the late Mark Gustafson, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film. His latest live-action feature, Frankenstein, was released in November 2025.
About Edwardian Hotels London:
Edwardian Hotels London is a privately owned hotel group that has been operating and developing its hospitality portfolio since Jasminder Singh OBE began his career within the hospitality industry in 1977; forming the beginnings of what would become Edwardian Hotels London. In January 2024, Edwardian Hotels London announced the sale of 10 Radisson Blu Edwardian properties to Starwood Capital, distilling its portfolio into a boutique collection of ultra-premium hotel and dining experiences. The Londoner, Edwardian Hotels London’s latest opening on London’s Leicester Square, is the world’s first super boutique hotel and incorporates 350 bedrooms and suites, six concept eateries and bars, The Residence, The Retreat, private screening rooms, seven inspiring meeting spaces and a stunning ballroom for 850 guests. It is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection. The group also owns and operates The May Fair and The Edwardian Manchester, both part of premium lifestyle brand Radisson Collection, as well as a range of luxury restaurants and bars, including award-winning brands such as May Fair Kitchen, Peter Street Kitchen and The May Fair Bar.