Sally Potter is set to receive the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film at the 40th London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, Deadline reports. The writer-director follows in the footsteps of Judi Dench, Isabelle Huppert, and Kate Winslet, who are among its previous recipients. The award is named in honor of Dilys Powell, a late film critic who wrote for The Sunday Times for over 50 years. The film chapter of the UK Critics’ Circle is composed of more than 145 UK film critics, broadcasters, and writers.

Potter made her feature directorial debut with 1983’s Julie Christie-starrer “The Gold Diggers.” The British filmmaker’s other credits include Oscar-nominated 1992 Virginia Woolf adaptation “Orlando,” which was led by Tilda Swinton, 2012 coming of-age drama “Ginger & Rosa,” and 2017 dark comedy “The Party.” Her next pic, “Molly,” a father-daughter drama, sees her re-teaming with “Ginger & Rosa” star Elle Fanning. According to IMDb, the feature is currently in post-production.

“To be honored by critics is an exceptional joy,” said Potter. “To be honored in Dilys Powell’s name is to be blessed by a legend, someone whose love for the films that she wrote about so fluently was held by an archaeological knowledge of the history of cinema. I met her just once, when I was starting out as a filmmaker. Her critical gaze and precise language was uncompromising but respectful and therefore encouraging, which is all anyone ever needs. It is very moving to imagine those beady eyes looking at me again several decades later.”

The film awards are slated for January 30 in London.