The British Film Institute (BFI) has announced a definitive season dedicated to the visionary world of Guillermo del Toro, running throughout May 2026. The program celebrates the filmmaker receiving the BFI Fellowship, the institute's highest honor, recognizing his unparalleled contribution to both live-action and animated cinema.
In-Person Appearances and Masterclasses
Fans will have rare access to the Oscar-winning director, who is scheduled for eight in-person appearances between 8–11 May. The centerpiece of the season is Guillermo del Toro in Conversation on Friday, 8 May, at BFI Southbank. Del Toro will also engage with the next generation of filmmakers during a BFI Film Academy masterclass and will join audiences at BFI IMAX for Q&As following screenings of Pacific Rim and his most recent triumph, Frankenstein.
A Career-Spanning Programme
The retrospective covers del Toro’s journey from his Mexican roots to Hollywood stardom. Highlights include:
The Classics: Screenings of Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and the beloved Hellboy series.
New Masterpieces: Showcases of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and Frankenstein, which recently secured three Academy Awards.
Rare Cuts: The "Visions of Darkness and Light" black-and-white edition of Nightmare Alley and early shorts like Geometria.
Re-release: Del Toro’s 1992 debut, Cronos, returns to UK cinemas on 15 May in a stunning 4K restoration.
Beyond the Big Screen
For those looking to engage creatively, the BFI is hosting a "Sip and Paint" session on 23 May, inspired by the director’s famous illustrated notebooks. Additionally, BFI Player will host "Guillermo del Toro Selects," a curated collection of thirteen films that influenced his gothic sensibility, including Nosferatu and Eyes Without a Face.
This season offers an intimate look at a director who successfully fuses fairy tales with politics and horror with humanism.
