Tom Cruise is being honored by the BFI with its highest honor, a BFI Fellowship, for his achievements as an “extraordinary, versatile” actor and his contribution to the UK film industry.
Cruise has a long association with the UK, working there many times with filmmakers including Ridley Scott (Legend), Stanley Kubrick (Eyes Wide Shut), Neil Jordan (Interview with the Vampire), Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow) and Christopher McQuarrie (the Mission: Impossible franchise).
“I am truly honored by this acknowledgement,” says Cruise. “I’ve been making films in the UK for over 40 years and have no plans to stop. The UK is home to incredibly talented professionals — actors, directors, writers and crews, as well as some of the most stunning locations in the world. I’m grateful for all the BFI has done to support UK filmmaking and this incredible art form we share.”
The BFI Fellowship will be presented to Tom Cruise at the BFI Chair’s Dinner in London on Monday 12 May, hosted by BFI Chair Jay Hunt. The day before the Fellowship presentation (Sunday 11 May) the BFI will host a special event that Cruise will attend for public audiences, including film students who are looking to break into the industry: Tom Cruise in Conversation at BFI Southbank will see Cruise will talk about his long and illustrious acting career, sharing insights into his craft, including thrilling stunts done for real, his approach to making such awe-inspiring films and his work as a producer. The events and Fellowship form part of a month-long BFI celebration of Cruise’s film career, with a season of 27 films featuring Cruise screening at BFI Southbank and BFI IMAX throughout May 2025.
BFI Chair Jay Hunt said, “We are thrilled to be honouring Tom Cruise with a BFI Fellowship. Tom has brought so much to the UK as a producer through choosing to make many of his films on our shores, where he is welcomed by our crews who step up to help make his cinematic visions a reality. In doing so, he also supports our studios and puts our locations on a world stage, in the process creating jobs and inspiring the next generation of film talent. He is, of course, also simply one of the world’s great actors and a true movie star, delighting audiences as the action hero and romantic lead and then surprising us with brave, leftfield roles where his versatility and talent shine through.”