Steve McQueen is to receive the BFI Fellowship at the London Film Festival awards ceremony.
The 46-year-old director will receive the highest accolade that can be awarded by the BFI Board of Governors in recognition of his outstanding contributions to film culture through titles such as ‘Shame’ and ’12 Years a Slave’.
Chair of the BFI, Josh Berger CBE, said: "As winner of both the Turner Prize and an Academy Award, Steve is pre-eminent in the world of film and the moving image. He is one of the most influential and important British artists of the past 25 years and his work, both short and long-form, has consistently explored the endurance of humanity – even when it is confronted by inhumane cruelty – with a poetry and visual style that he has made his own. We are thrilled that Steve is to become a BFI Fellow."
The presentation of the award will take place at the BFI London Film Festival’s annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday 15 October at Banqueting House.
The ‘Hunger’ director said: "I first walked into the BFI library and cinema 28 years ago. To think that I will now be a Fellow and honorary member, with such a distinguished list of people, is mind-blowing. I’m humbly honoured."
Previous BFI Fellowships have been awarded to the likes of Cate Blanchett, Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter, and Ralph Fiennes.