Honored with a prestigious award from the British Academy of Film and Theatre Arts, Emma Watson chose to dedicate it to a pet hamster that died during filming of her first film. Watson’s pet hamster Millie died midway during filming for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and Watson told the story in order to explain how much the British film industry meant to her.

Watson was awarded British Artist of the Year at the Britannia Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, October 30, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Watson looked chic wearing an off-shoulder white top with long, sheer sleeves and frilly detail, which she paired with slim black trouser with black diamond details. Meanwhile, the Harry Potter star accessorized with a gold torque necklace, black clutch and black leather heels. Watson wore her hair swept up in an elegant updo.

Looking a bit emotional at the podium as she accepted her award, Watson explained how she grew up in an industry that has cared for her since she first appeared in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when she was 11 years old. “The British film industry hasn’t just been a workplace for me. It’s been the place that I grew up. It’s been a surrogate family, really,” Watson said.

“A sweet, but slightly morbid example of this is, when on the first Harry Potter film, my on-set hamster Millie had a heart attack and didn’t quite make it. So the set decorators built a small mahogany hamster-sized coffin. It had a velvet lining and a silver plaque on the front, which had Millie’s name engraved on it… what I am trying to say is that you are all very special to me,” said Watson.

At the end of her acceptance speech, Watson dedicated her award to her departed childhood pet. “Rest in peace, Millie. This one’s for you,” she said.