Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen to receive BAFTA Fellowship
Ilkka Paananen, CEO and co-founder of Finnish mobile gaming studio Supercell, has been awarded the BAFTA Fellowship in recognition of his significant contributions to the video game industry. The honour will be presented at the 2026 BAFTA Games Awards ceremony on April 17 at the South Bank Centre in London.
The BAFTA Fellowship represents the organization’s highest accolade and reflects Paananen’s impact since co-founding Supercell in 2010. Under his leadership, the studio has established itself as a global mobile gaming powerhouse, developing several of the industry’s most successful titles including Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, and Brawl Stars.
Beyond his work at Supercell, Paananen is recognized for his broader contributions to the gaming industry and wider social impact. Through his organization Illusian and the Ilkka Paananen Foundation, he has invested in and mentored numerous initiatives spanning social impact measurement tools, educational games, and programs promoting social and mental wellbeing for children, young people, and families.
Paananen expressed his appreciation for the honour, noting the significance of joining the ranks of previous BAFTA Fellows whose work has inspired him throughout his career. The award represents recognition of his influence on both the commercial and social dimensions of gaming.