Chiwetel Ejiofor honored by 2015 British Independent Film Awards

The actor will receive the award for his "exceptional service to the film industry, not just here in the UK but internationally as an ambassador for British film."

Ejiofor's diverse film credits include Stephen Frears' thriller "Dirty Pretty Things", Richard Curtis's "Love Actually", and Woody Allen's "Melinda and Melinda".

In 2014 he starred in Steve McQueen's Oscar winning "Twelve Years a Slave", in which his performance as Solomon Northup gained him Oscar, Golden Globe and SAG nominations and won him a Best Actor BAFTA.

He can currently be seen in the 2015 blockbuster "The Martian", with upcoming projects including the thriller "Secret in Their Eyes", starring Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman.