Guillermo del Toro is to be awarded the prestigious BFI Fellowship by the British Film Institute in May 2026 in recognition of his remarkable contribution to cinema across animation and live-action and his work in both Spanish and English. Known for his bold, imaginative style that has captivated audiences around the world and inspired a generation of filmmakers.
Del Toro receives the fellowship at the BFI Chair’s annual dinner in London, hosted by BFI Chair Jay Hunt. Events include a public career conversation at BFI Southbank, a film retrospective on BFI IMAX and Player, and a curated film season. He will also lead masterclasses for BFI Film Academy aspiring talents and visit the BFI National Archive.
A 4K reissue of del Toro’s 1992 debut Cronos launches UK-wide in May 2026. His recent Netflix Frankenstein with Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac fuels Oscar buzz, adding to accolades like Best Director for The Shape of Water. Del Toro joins legends like Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, and David Lean as past BFI Fellows.
Del Toro described it as “the honor of a lifetime,” paying tribute to the influence of British cinema and his collaborations. BFI Chair Jay Hunt praised his championing of British talent and magical body of work.
