Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet has said she is "honoured" to receive a special prize at the 2015 Moet British Independent Film Awards (Bifa).

The Steve Jobs star will be presented with the Variety award, which celebrates a British director, actor, writer or producer who has made a global impact, at this year's ceremony in London.

Winslet, who won an Oscar for her performance in The Reader, joins the illustrious list of past winners including Benedict Cumberbatch, Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig and Sir Michael Caine.

The 40-year-old actress said: "I am thrilled to be receiving this award and to be in the company of a whole host of brilliant filmmakers and actors, many of whom I'm lucky enough to call friends and colleagues. It's an honour to be flying the flag for British filmmaking."

Variety's executive editor Steven Gaydos said: "From the beginning of her illustrious film career over 20 years ago, Kate Winslet has never ceased her eagerness to tackle new creative challenges and to turn those challenges into amazing, lasting performances.

"Her current film, Steve Jobs, is no exception and once again, the awards season conversation is immeasurably enlivened by her presence."

This year's awards will take place at Old Billingsgate in London on December 6.