Tom Cruise to receive BFI fellowship for 40 years of filmmaking in the UK

Mission Impossible star praised for his contributions to British cinema and decades of filming across the UK.

Tom Cruise is set to receive the British Film Institute’s (BFI) highest honor — the BFI Fellowship — in recognition of his significant contributions to filmmaking, particularly in the UK. The American actor, among the highest-grossing stars in cinematic history, expressed gratitude for the recognition and praised the British film industry’s creativity and talent.

“I am truly honoured by this acknowledgment,” Cruise said in a statement following the BFI’s announcement. “I’ve been making films in the UK for more than 40 years and have no plans to stop.”

He continued: “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 film-making and this incredible art form we share.”

Cruise has a long-standing relationship with the UK, having spent much of his career filming on British soil. His Mission: Impossible films have been shot across London, Birmingham, and Yorkshire, while other notable UK-based productions include Legend, Interview With a Vampire, Edge of Tomorrow, and Eyes Wide Shut.

BFI chair Jay Hunt praised the actor’s influence and impact on the UK film landscape, stating: “Tom has brought so much to the UK as a producer … 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.”

She added, “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, left-field roles where his versatility and talent shine through.”

Cruise will participate in an “in conversation” event on May 11, a day before the fellowship ceremony, kicking off a month-long retrospective of his filmography.

The BFI Fellowship is one of the most prestigious honors in global cinema, with past recipients including icons such as David Lean, Elizabeth Taylor, Orson Welles, Martin Scorsese, Tilda Swinton, Spike Lee, and Christopher Nolan.

In recent years, Cruise has been recognized globally for his work. In 2022, he received an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He’s also a three-time Golden Globe winner and a four-time Oscar nominee. Most recently, in December 2024, he was awarded the US Navy’s highest civilian honor for his “outstanding contributions” to the military through films like Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick.

Aside from his film achievements, Cruise is also known for his association with the Church of Scientology and is believed to have a home near its UK headquarters in East Grinstead, West Sussex.