NEW YORK — Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein has been awarded an honorary CBE from Queen Elizabeth II.
Award was announced Monday by the British consul-general in New York, Thomas Harris, capping a weekend during which Miramax’s “Kill Bill Vol. 2” received royal treatment from both critics and audiences.
The Commander of the British Empire is the second highest honor awarded by the queen after a knighthood. Unlike the higher nod, however, the CBE does not carry the title of sir.
Honor is in recognition of Weinstein’s contribution to bringing mainstream attention to British film talent and to the national film industry.
“My life and my career have been greatly influenced and enriched by great British filmmakers and authors, and so I am especially honored and humbled to be receiving the CBE,” Weinstein said. “I am very grateful for the chance to work with so many British masters — from the ranks of actors, producers, directors and writers.”
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Weinstein said one of his upcoming projects is the development of a charitable foundation to give something back to the film industry and help foster new talent.
Weinstein is credited with bringing commercial success to independent arthouse films.
Miramax has contributed upward of £600 million ($1.08 billion) to the development, commissioning, production, financing and distribution of films made with British companies, establishing a London-based division to increase U.K. involvement in Miramax pics.
Brit features produced or acquired by Miramax over the past two decades include best picture Oscar winners “Shakespeare in Love” and “The English Patient,” as well as “The Crying Game,” “The Wings of the Dove,” “Chocolat,” “Dirty Pretty Things,” “The Magdalene Sisters” and the upcoming “J.M. Barrie’s Neverland,” with Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet.
The date for Weinstein’s CBE investiture ceremony will be set in the coming months.
