The BFI and BFI London Film Festival today announces that Steve McQueen will receive its highest accolade, the BFI Fellowship. The presentation will take place at the BFI London Film Festival’s annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday October 15 at Banqueting House.

Josh Berger CBE, Chair of the BFI, said: “As winner of both the Turner Prize and an Academy Award®, Steve is pre-eminent in the world of film and the moving image. He is one of the most influential and important British artists of the past 25 years and his work, both short and long-form, has consistently explored the endurance of humanity – even when it is confronted by inhumane cruelty – with a poetry and visual style that he has made his own. We are thrilled that Steve is to become a BFI Fellow.”




Steve McQueen, commented, “I first walked into the BFI library and cinema 28 years ago. To think that I will now be a Fellow and honorary member, with such a distinguished list of people, is mind-blowing. I’m humbly honored.”

The BFI Fellowship is the highest accolade the BFI Board of Governors can bestow, and at this year’s Festival it is awarded to Steve McQueen in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film culture, showcased in his range of artworks and three multi-award-winning features, “Hunger” (LFF 2008), “Shame” (LFF 2011) and “12 Years a Slave” (LFF 2013).

Each year at the LFF Awards Ceremony a BFI Fellowship is bestowed on a film luminary. Previous BFI Fellowships have been presented at the ceremony to Cate Blanchett in 2015, Stephen Frears in 2014, the late Sir Christopher Lee in 2013, Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter in 2012, and David Cronenberg & Ralph Fiennes in 2011. Most recently, in February this year, Hugh Grant was also awarded the BFI Fellowship.