In recognition of a unique contribution to the world of film the European Film Academy takes great pleasure in presenting Mads Mikkelsen with the honorary award EUROPEAN ACHIEVEMENT IN WORLD CINEMA 2011.

Ever since his debut in Nicolas Winding Refn's crime films PUSHER (1996) and PUSHER II -  for which he received the Danish critics' award Bodil - Mads Mikkelsen has played characters we fear and find attractive, often at the same time: As a butcher in THE GREEN BUTCHERS (2003) and as the priest in ADAM'S APPLES (2005) - both by Anders Thomas Jensen. He played the doctor in OPEN HEARTS (2002) and the manager of an Indian orphanage in AFTER THE WEDDING (2006) - both by Susanne Bier. For the latter he was nominated for the European Film Awards and for the Danish Robert.

He shot to international fame as the villain "Le Chiffre" in JAMES BOND 007 - CASINO ROYALE (2006). In 2008 he received another nomination for the European Film Awards, for FLAME & CITRON by Ole Christian Madsen. He's starred in COCO CHANEL & IGOR STRAVINSKY (2009) by Dutch-born Jan Kounen, in the Spanish-Danish co-production TORREMOLINOS 73 (2003) and in the German production EXIT (2009) by Anno Saul.

From the set of the Franco-German co-production MICHAEL KOHLHAAS Mikkelsen sent the following statement: "There is very little to say when you are honoured with an award of this calibre other than that I am deeply grateful. Seeing the list of former recipients, all giants, and realising that people outside my family keep an eye on my work, makes me accept this award with great humbleness and a big smile."

Mads Mikkelsen will be an honorary guest at the 24th European Film Awards Ceremony on 3 December 2011 in Berlin.