British Film Institute Launches BFI America as Barbara Broccoli and Terry Gilliam Join Board (2025)

The British Film Institute (BFI) has launched BFI America, whose board members include Barbara Broccoli and Terry Gilliam.

The BFI will be out in force in L.A. later this month to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the BFI National Archive, one of the world’s oldest and most significant film and TV collections. At the celebratory event on Apr. 23, BFI America will be formally launched.

BFI America, formerly known as Friends of the British Film Institute, will “champion the work of the BFI in the U.S. and internationally, including the vital preservation and restoration work of the BFI National Archive, and maintain the organization’s enduring partnership with U.S. cinema and its vibrant film community,” according to the organization.

Board members include former James Bond producer Broccoli, director Gilliam, Colin Walsh (founder, Varo Money Inc.), Deborah Schindler (producer), Penelope Wong (producer and marketing expert), and Dr. Mali Heled Kinberg (UCLA Professor).

Following the launch next week, the TCM Classic Film Festival (April 24-27) will showcase six films from the BFI National Archive’s collection, including a pristine original British release dye-transfer Technicolor print of Jaws.

Other movies set to be showcased include David Lean’s 1945 flick Blithe Spirit, Martin Ritt’s Edge of the City (1957), Michael Curtiz’s Mildred Pierce (1945), Alexander Korda’s The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933) and Ernst Lubitsch’s To Be or Not to Be (1942).

“The U.K. and the U.S. share deep and rich connections in cinema,” said Ben Roberts, BFI chief executive. “We are excited to celebrate our continued cultural collaboration and present these extraordinary treasures from theBFI National Archive to U.S. audiences.”