The "Thor" director will receive the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film, which is named after the late British author and critic, during an awards ceremony at The May Fair Hotel in London on January 17, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Branagh says the award means a lot to him because he met Powell before her death in 1995.
"As a young filmmaker, I had the privilege of meeting Dilys Powell. She was passionate, rigorous, humane. Her criticism was illuminating, thoughtful and bracing. This recognition in her name is a great honour to me personally and very meaningful. My sincere thanks to the Critics' Circle."