Guillermo del Toro is set to receive an Excellence in Film honour at the 2026 London Critics’ Circle Film Awards.

The Mexican filmmaker, who is currently on the awards season trail with his adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Gothic horror Frankenstein, will be presented with the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film on Sunday 1 February.

“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,” The Shape of Water director said in a statement. “Working in this industry continues to be the joy of a lifetime.”

Previous recipients of the award, named in memory of legendary British film critic Dilys Powell, include Michael Caine, Judi Dench, Quentin Tarantino, Gary Oldman, Kenneth Branagh, Kate Winslet, Michelle Yeoh, and, most recently, Daniel Craig.

Jane Crowther, Chair of the London Film Critics’ Circle, added, “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.”

Del Toro, who is also known for films such as Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy, and Pacific Rim, will collect his honour from the critics’ organisation three months before receiving the British Film Institute (BFI)’s highest accolade, the BFI Fellowship, in May, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to film.

Alongside Del Toro, Wicked star Cynthia Erivo will be honoured with the Derek Malcolm Award for Innovation, as previously announced.

The ceremony will be hosted by film critic Mark Kermode at The May Fair in London on 1 February 2026.

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