The British Film Institute (BFI) has announced that acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will receive its highest honour, the BFI Fellowship. This accolade celebrates del Toro’s extraordinary influence on film, defined by a unique blend of dark horror and gothic fantasy that he has brought to both animation and live action. A Mexican filmmaker working in both Spanish and English, del Toro has crafted rich cinematic worlds steeped in folklore, fairytales, science fiction and unforgettable creatures.
Legendary films and international roots
Over more than four decades, Guillermo del Toro’s career has been distinguished by landmark films such as Hellboy (2004), Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) and The Shape of Water (2017), as well as his recent adaptation of Frankenstein (2025). His latest feature was partially filmed in the UK, with key sequences shot in cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Salisbury and Peterborough, underlining his strong international creative footprint.
Fellowship ceremony and public engagement
The BFI Fellowship will be formally presented in May 2026 at the annual BFI Chair’s Dinner in London, hosted by BFI Chair Jay Hunt. As part of the celebrations, del Toro will take part in a public Career Conversation at BFI Southbank, alongside a retrospective of his work presented across BFI Southbank, BFI IMAX and BFI Player.
In addition, del Toro will curate a dedicated film season and lead masterclasses for emerging filmmakers from the BFI Film Academy, sharing his experience across genres and mediums. To mark the occasion, the BFI will also re-release his debut feature Cronos (1992), newly remastered in 4K, in cinemas across the UK.
Deep roots in British cinema
Del Toro’s ties to the BFI and British film heritage reach back to his youth, when he worked as a projectionist in Mexico and sourced prints for landmark screenings, including Peeping Tom by Michael Powell. He has often spoken about his admiration for British cinema legends, from Alfred Hitchcock to Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, inspirations that permeate his work in tone, visual grammar and storytelling.
Words from Guillermo del Toro and BFI leadership
In responding to the announcement, Guillermo del Toro described the BFI Fellowship as “the honour of a lifetime”, expressing gratitude for the Institute’s enduring faith in him and his work. He underlined how deeply British cinema has shaped his imagination, noting that being recognised by the BFI connects his personal journey to a tradition he has long admired.
BFI Chair Jay Hunt praised del Toro as a visionary filmmaker who has consistently championed British talent and enriched global cinema with his bold, compassionate imagination. She highlighted his ability to fuse genre storytelling with emotional depth, making him an ideal recipient of the Institute’s highest honour.
A remarkable journey in film
Beginning with work on Mexican television and a string of acclaimed short films, del Toro’s feature debut Cronos (1992) set the tone for a career defined by bold creativity and genre reinvention. Subsequent milestones include The Devil’s Backbone (2001), Blade II (2002), the visually spectacular Hellboy films and the critically acclaimed Pan’s Labyrinth (2006).
Other highlights in his body of work include the genre-defining kaiju epic Pacific Rim (2013) and the award-winning animated feature Pinocchio (2022). Across film and television, del Toro has consistently expanded what fantasy and horror can do, using monsters and myths to explore humanity, trauma and hope.
Artistic excellence across genres
Del Toro is celebrated for his elaborate production design, meticulous world-building and commitment to practical effects, qualities that shine in works like Crimson Peak (2015) and The Shape of Water, the latter winning multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
His most recent film, Frankenstein, premiered to acclaim at the 2025 Venice Film Festival and was also warmly received at the BFI London Film Festival, further cementing his reputation as one of contemporary cinema’s most imaginative voices. The film is now available to audiences worldwide on Netflix, bringing his latest gothic vision into homes around the globe.
With the BFI Fellowship, the British Film Institute recognises a remarkable journey in film — one that has redefined genre, championed artistry across borders and inspired generations of filmmakers and audiences alike.
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