Director Steve McQueen to Receive British Film Institute’s Fellowship
Oscar-winning director-writer-producer Steve McQueen will receive the British Film Institute’s highest accolade, the BFI Fellowship, at the BFI London Film Festival’s awards ceremony Oct. 15 at London’s Banqueting House.
Josh Berger, chair of the BFI, said: “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.”
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 being awarded to McQueen “in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film culture,” showcased in his range of artworks and three multi-award-winning features, “Hunger” (2008), which won the Camera d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival; “Shame” (2011), for which Michael Fassbender won best actor at the Venice Film Festival; and “12 Years a Slave” (2013), which won three Academy Awards, including for best picture.
Previous BFI Fellowships have been presented to Cate Blanchett in 2015, Stephen Frears in 2014, the late Christopher Lee in 2013, Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter in 2012, and David Cronenberg and Ralph Fiennes in 2011. Most recently, in February this year, Hugh Grant was also awarded the BFI Fellowship.
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