Film honour for Harrison

Harrison's company Handmade Films had a string of hits

The late Beatle George Harrison is to receive a posthumous honour for his film work at an awards ceremony in London next week.

Harrison, who died in 2001 aged 58, will be recognised for his contribution to independent film-making, at the British Independent Film Awards next Wednesday.

His company, Handmade, was regarded as one of the saviours of British film in the late 70s and 80s.

It produced the hit Monty Python film Life Of Brian, and had a string of further successes including The Long Good Friday, Time Bandits, Mona Lisa and Withnail and I.

However, in 1994 Harrison sold the company for £5m after a slump in profits.

Other stars who will be honoured at the British Independent Film Awards, now in its fifth year, include Ewan McGregor.

Front-runner

McGregor, whose many hits include Attack Of The Clones, Trainspotting and Moulin Rouge, will receive the Variety UK Personality award, sponsored by the trade publication.

Withnail And I was a Handmade production

"No major UK star over the past decade has toiled as actively in independent films as Ewan McGregor," said executive editor Steven Gaydos.

The awards were set up to recognise the stature of the British independent film industry in the UK and worldwide.

Lynne Ramsay's Morvern Callar, starring Samantha Morton, is the front-runner with seven nominations, including one for Best Independent British Film.

It faces competition in that category from football comedy Bend It Like Beckham, low-budget drama Lawless Heart, Ken Loach's Sweet Sixteen and the controversial drama Bloody Sunday.

Those in the running for best actor include Richard Harris, James Nesbitt, Bill Nighy and Timothy Spall, while best actress nominees include Elaine Cassidy, Harriet Walter, Samantha Morton and Shirley Henderson.

The awards coincide with the 10th Raindance Film Festival, which began in London on Wednesday night, and focuses on the best in independent film from around the world.