Bafta honour for Pinewood studios

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Go behind the scenes at Pinewood Studios

Pinewood and Shepperton film studios will receive an award for outstanding British contribution to cinema at the Orange Bafta film awards this weekend.

The studios have been "at the creative heart of British film-making for over 70 years," said Bafta's Finola Dwyer.

Films shot at the studios include blockbusters Superman and Batman Begins, as well as 20 James Bond films.

Recipients of the annual Michael Balcon award include director Mike Leigh, Kenneth Branagh and Channel Four Films.

"This award recognises the role they have played in bringing to life some of the most memorable and iconic images in cinema history," said Ms Dwyer, Chair of Bafta's Film Committee.

More than 1,500 films have been shot at the two British studios, which between them boast the largest sound stage in Europe and an underwater stage.

'Thrilling'

Pinewood, in Buckinghamshire, became famous in the 1950s and 1960s as the location of the James Bond and Carry On films.

The studio merged with Shepperton Studios, in Middlesex, at the beginning of 2001.

Directors favouring the British studios include Sir Ridley Scott, Tim Burton and Paul Greengrass, as well as the legendary David Lean and Stanley Kubrick.

Lean's Great Expectations, Gandhi and The Shining are among the notable films shot at the studios, which is also home to TV shows including Extras and The Weakest Link.