Spike Lee 2023

Source: BFI

Spike Lee

US filmmaker Spike Lee is being honoured with a BFI Fellowship, the highest accolade to be bestowed by the British Film Institute (BFI).

It will be presented to Lee at a special event on February 13 at the BFI Southbank. The event will include a Q&A with the filmmaker, hosted by BFI chair Tim Richards and chief executive Ben Roberts, before a screening of Lee’s 1999 film Summer Of Sam.

Lee’s career as a filmmaker spans over 30 years and includes She’s Got To Have It (1986), Do The Right Thing (1989) and the Oscar and Bafta-winning BlacKkKlansman (2018).

The director will also visit the BFI National Archive who have been liaising with Lee on a 35mm print of his 1992 film Malcom X which will premiere at the BFI’s inaugural Film on Film festival in June.

Previous recipients of the BFI fellowship include Tilda Swinton, Martin Scorsese, Olivia Colman, Steve McQueen, Judi Dench, Cate Blanchett and Hugh Grant.

“I’m blessed to live up to my ancestor’s credo “Deeds not words,” said Lee. ”I thank the BFI for helping me in continuing my generations of family legacy. Peace And Love. YA-DIG? SHO-NUFF.”