On May 12th, Tom Cruise was honoured with the British Film Institute’s (BFI) highest accolade, the BFI Fellowship, during the annual BFI Chair’s Dinner at the Rosewood Hotel in London. The award was presented to Cruise by his long-time collaborator Christopher McQuarrie, a partnership that has spanned nearly two decades.
The BFI Fellowship recognizes Cruise for his remarkable career as a versatile actor and his substantial contributions to the UK film industry. His decision to film multiple projects in the UK has had a transformative impact on the country’s film infrastructure. Cruise has supported British craftsmanship, contributed to the local economy, and provided countless jobs, training, and opportunities for skill development in the industry.
Upon receiving the prestigious Fellowship, Cruise expressed his gratitude, reflecting on the collaborative nature of filmmaking:
“The beauty of this artform is in the collaboration, which challenges us as artists and as human beings. When a film is completed, it’s never truly a goodbye; it’s just a ‘see you again soon.’ Tonight has been extraordinary, and I’m deeply thankful for all of you being here. We’ve had incredible adventures, and I’ve cherished every second of it. It’s a privilege to be on set, and I can’t imagine a vacation from doing something I love so much. Thank you, Chris [McQuarrie], for always testing my limits – somehow, we always figure it out,” he said.
Cruise also reminisced about his early days in the industry, humorously noting the shared history between himself, McQuarrie, and BFI CEO Ben Roberts: “Ben, you were an usher in movie theatres, Chris, you were a security guard, and I just snuck in. But we all share a love for movies, the magic of experiencing them with an audience. That’s what makes it all worthwhile.”
Christopher McQuarrie, in his tribute to Cruise, praised the actor’s extraordinary career and enduring influence on modern cinema:
“Tom’s career spans several decades and has left an indelible mark on each one. He is a unique figure, not competing with anyone but himself. While others might compare themselves to contemporaries, Tom continually seeks inspiration from the pioneers of cinema—Chaplin, Keaton, Fairbanks, Kelly, Thalberg—artists who were dedicated perfectionists and uncompromising entertainers. Tom Cruise remains unrelenting and undaunted in his pursuit of excellence.”
The evening marked not only the celebration of Tom Cruise’s illustrious achievements but also a reflection on the profound impact he continues to have on the global film industry, particularly in the UK.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: (L to R) Greg Tarzan Davis, Hannah Waddingham, Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales and Hayley Atwell attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett 
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Tom Cruise attends the BFI Chair’s dinner where he was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett 
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: (L to R) Pom Klementieff, Tom Cruise, Hannah Waddingham and Simon Pegg attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett 
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: (L to R) Pom Klementieff, Tom Cruise, Hannah Waddingham and Simon Pegg attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: (L to R) Esai Morales, Greg Tarzan Davis, Pom Klementieff, Tom Cruise, Hannah Waddingham, Simon Pegg and Hayley Atwell attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett 
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: (L to R) Esai Morales, Greg Tarzan Davis, Pom Klementieff, Tom Cruise, Hannah Waddingham, Simon Pegg and Hayley Atwell attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett 
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: (L to R) Tom Cruise, Tracy Robbins and Brian Robbins attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett 
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: (L to R) Tom Cruise, Tracy Robbins and Brian Robbins attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett 
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Tom Cruise and Jerry Bruckheimer attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: (L to R) Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer and Christopher McQuarrie attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett 
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: (L to R) Simon Pegg, Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer and Christopher McQuarrie attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett 
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: Tom Cruise and Chief Executive of BAFTA Amanda Berry attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 12: (L to R) Tom Cruise, Chief Executive of BAFTA Amanda Berry and Maggie Todd attend the BFI Chair’s dinner where Tom Cruise was awarded a BFI Fellowship at The Rosewood on May 12, 2025 in London, England. Photo by Dave Benett
