by 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.
