THE BFI have announced that it is celebrating Director, Writer, Actor, Producer, Author, and NYU Grad Film Tenured Professor Spike Lee with a BFI Fellowship, the highest honour bestowed by the BFI.
The BFI Fellowships recognises Academy Award® winning Lee’s pioneering body of work that has spanned over thirty years and has chronicled black lives through bold and inventive cinematic works of art from feature films and documentary to television, music, commercials and books.
It will be presented to Spike Lee at a special celebration event at BFI Southbank, hosted by BFI Chair Tim Richards and BFI Chief Exec Ben Roberts, with an in-depth on stage Q&A with Spike Lee and accompanied by a screening of Summer of Sam, on February 13, 2023.
Spike Lee said “I’m Blessed To Live Up To My Ancestors Credo “DEEDS, NOT WORDS”. I Thank The BFI For Helping Me in Continuing My Generations Of Family Legacy. Peace And Love. YA-DIG❓SHO-NUFF.”
Tim Richards, BFI Chair, said “I am honoured and excited to be awarding Spike Lee the prestigious BFI Fellowship. Lee has such a distinctive voice as an auteur, unafraid to challenge ideas of race, gender and class throughout his career with his unique cinematic style.
“A true renaissance man and pioneer, he has excelled in so many art forms, staying original, fresh and as relevant to contemporary audiences as those who have enjoyed his work for over thirty years.
“I am delighted to be celebrating his enormous talent and individuality with a BFI Fellowship.”
While in the UK, Spike Lee will also visit teams at the BFI National Archive, who have liaised with him on a new 35mm print of Malcolm X (1992), made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery, to premiere at the BFI’s inaugural Film on Film Festival taking place at BFI Southbank, June 8-11, 2023.
