Named in honor of the late Irish actor, the award is given in recognition of outstanding contribution to British film by an actor.
Hosted by James Nesbitt, the Moet British Independent Film Awards will be given Dec. 8 at Old Billingsgate in London.
Walters, a two-time Oscar nominee and Olivier Award winner, has starred in "Brave," "Mamma Mia!," "Becoming Jane," "Billy Elliot," "Educating Rita" and the "Harry Potter" series.
Her stage work includes Educating Rita, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, Acorn Antiques: The Musical and The Last of the Haussmans.
Previous recipients of the Richard Harris Award have included John Hurt, David Thewlis, Bob Hoskins, Jim Broadbent, Daniel Day-Lewis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes and Michael Gambon.
