Film news: Why the BFI handed Tom Cruise its highest honour
Tom Cruise is a certified legend of films and filmmaking.
From Top Gun to Mission: Impossible, A Few Good Men to Rain Man, Cruise’s stunning career has spanned decades.
Film News Blitz Ellie Jackson explains why Cruise received the BFI Fellowship to acknowledge his extraordinary achievements.
What is the BFI Fellowship?
The British Film Institute (BFI) awards the Fellowship, the highest honour handed to anyone by the organisation, to individuals who have showcased an outstanding contribution to film and television culture.
In 1983, the BFI’s Silver Jubilee, the Fellowship was handed out for the very first time, and new recipients are named year-on-year.
The BFI fellows include legendary figures such as Orson Welles, former James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, and Christopher Nolan.
A celebrated career and dedication to British cinema
In March, the BFI named Tom Cruise as its Fellowship recipient for 2025 and he was presented with the honour on May 12 at the BFI Chair’s Dinner by long-time collaborator and Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning director Christopher McQuarrie.
While Cruise’s credentials for contributing to film culture are obvious, the BFI also acknowledged his commitment to the British film industry.
As an actor and producer, Cruise has championed the British film industry, choosing several counties to shoot on location in multiple projects, including London, Birmingham, North Yorkshire, the Lake District, and the Peak District.
Cruise is no stranger to the world-leading British soundstages either, and his decision to return to Britain time and time again for his projects has made a positive impact on the local film industry, created jobs and nurtured talent.
That last factor is prevalent for the BFI, with its Film Academy and Future Skills Programme graduates having worked on Cruise’s recent projects, such as the Mission: Impossible series.
Cruise’s acceptance and vision for filming in Britain
“I am truly honoured by this acknowledgement,” Cruise said back in March when it was revealed he’d be bestowed with the honour.
“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.”
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At the BFI Chair’s Dinner, Cruise added, “The beauty of this artform is a collaboration and it tests everything we are as artists, as human beings.
“When we finish a film it’s never goodbye, we’ll see you again soon, so it’s been absolutely extraordinary for me to receive this BFI Fellowship, it’s been an extraordinary evening and I’m very grateful that you are all here.”
Cruise continued in typical fashion by professing his love for the theatrical film experience and, in doing s,o paid tribute to the BFI’s prowess in educating “the next generation” of filmmakers.
“The thing is we love being in movies, with an audience, with popcorn, it’s just magnificent,” he said.
“We know how magical that is. Thank you at the BFI, you’ve worked so hard to support our industry throughout, we are all holding hands together to keep this going, to educate the next generation as best we can, and I look forward to all the films they’re going to make.”
May is the month of Tom Cruise
The BFI didn’t stop at just awarding Cruise its Fellowship.
A day before the Chair’s Dinner, Cruise sat down for an hour-long conversation in front of a public audience, where many of the attendees were film students looking to break into the industry, to reflect on his legendary career.
Moreover, the BFI has dedicated the entire month of May to screen several Cruise classics at its Southbank and IMAX theatres, showing 27 films including Top Gun, Rain Man, Mission: Impossible, and Jerry Maguire.
Cruise’s latest film, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, slated to be his last as IMF Agent Ethan Hunt and featuring death-defying stunts, soars into UK cinemas on May 21.
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