Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will make history by becoming the first Mexican to be awarded the prestigious BFI Fellowship by the British Film Institute, considered the highest distinction of the institution. This is a result of his contribution to world cinema through works such as “Pan's Labyrinth” and “The Shape of Water.” According to a statement issued by the prestigious institution, the award will be presented during the BFI President's Annual Dinner in London next May 2026. It was also announced that as part of the tribute, the British Film Institute will organize a series of screenings and special events, including the re-release in British cinemas of Guillermo del Toro's debut film, Cronos (1993). “Del Toro will join us for a conversation at BFI Southbank to discuss his career as a filmmaker through animation and live action, and as a Mexican filmmaker, both in Spanish and English,” reads the message shared on the organization's official Instagram account. For his part, the filmmaker, born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, was quick to share his feelings about this distinction: “I thank everyone at the “Thank you, BFI, for this great honor. "I will strive to work diligently to prove myself worthy of the trust you have placed in me," he declared. With the BFI Fellowship, the institution seeks to recognize "extraordinary contributions to film and television" and honor artists whose careers have left an indelible mark on world culture. Other stars who have received the award include Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Bette Davis, and David Lean.