BAFTA to honour Supercell CEO with fellowship

Supercell CEO and co-founder Ilkka Paananen will receive a BAFTA Fellowship at this year’s BAFTA Game Awards.

Paananen will be recognised for his impact at Supercell, the studio behind mobile titles such as Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, and Brawl Stars.

He is also an investor and mentor through his organisation Illusian and the Ilkka Paananen Foundation. His support includes social impact measurement tools, educational games, and initiatives that promote social and mental well-being for children, young people, and families.

“Receiving the BAFTA Fellowship is an incredible honour,” said Paananen. “Looking at the names of previous Fellows, I see so many of my personal heroes – people whose work has inspired me and who I continue to look up to. Being included in their company is something I never could have imagined.

“Throughout my career, I have been extremely fortunate. But my greatest fortune, by far, has been the privilege of working with amazingly talented and passionate game developers over the past 25 years. They are the ones who create the magic. This award truly belongs to each and every one of them.”

BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip added: “A visionary leader in games, he has built a globally influential company while championing creative collaboration and trust at every level. His deep respect and commitment to nurturing emerging talent and his ongoing support for young people reflect the very best of BAFTA’s values. We are delighted to celebrate his exceptional contribution to the industry and look forward to presenting him with this honour at this year’s BAFTA Games Awards with Google Play.”

Last year, Japanese composer and pianist Yoko Shimomura received a BAFTA Fellowship for her work composing scores for franchises including Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy 15, and Xenoblade Chronicles.

The 2026 BAFTA Game Awards takes place on April 17, 2026, at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads this year’s nominations, recognised in 12 categories including Best Game.