Bath Spa University has announced that film director Ken Loach is to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate on Thursday 22nd November in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the film industry.
Loach has won multiple awards for his work including the Palme D’Or in 2006 for his film ‘The Wind That Shakes The Barley’. He is also well-known for his films ‘Kes’ and ‘Looking for Eric’. His film ‘The Angels’ Share’, which won the Jury Prize at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, was recently screened at Bath Spa University to raise funds for Community Arts Therapies. Loach, who is Patron of the Community Arts Therapies, was in attendance and answered questions from the audience.
Professor Christina Slade, Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University comments: “As a university dedicated to nurturing creativity, we take inspiration from individuals such as Ken Loach. His illustrious body of work demonstrates that film making can offer a realistic reflection of our world and open our eyes to things we may often miss. The power of his films to inform thought and shape opinion is a masterclass for film makers of the future! We are honoured to award him an honorary doctorate and look forward to welcoming him to the Bath Spa University community.”
Speaking about his award, Loach said: “This is very generous of the University. I’m looking forward to meeting the staff and, particularly, the students. In response, I hope I can make a small contribution to the University’s work.”
Professor Slade will present the award at an event celebrating Loach’s career alongside guests from the film industry and University staff and students at the University Theatre at Newton Park.
