08/10/2015 - Actor will advocate for British film and the BFI

British actor Tom Hiddleston

British actor Tom Hiddleston, who’s High-Rise [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] premieres at the London Film Festival on October 9, has become the first official British Film Institute (BFI) Ambassador. As the lead body for film in the UK, the BFI’s charitable cause is to create a flourishing film culture and to drive the success of the industry. In his new role, Hiddleston will advocate for British film and the BFI’s work in building the next generation of film talent and film lovers in the UK. Hiddleston attended the BFI Luminous fundraising gala on October 6 where £430,000 was raised to support the BFI National Archive by bidding on lots including a private audience with Al Pacino and a walk on part in Paddington 2. The BFI aims to raise £1 million over the next year to fund the Archive.

Hiddleston said, “Film is an art form – one of the most powerful, accessible, democratic and transformative in our society. It allows us to see the world around us, and the lives of others. It plays a vital role in establishing our national identity and gives us confidence as a nation. The BFI looks after the most significant collection of film and television in the world. It should be treasured and protected in the same way we treasure and protect all our great cultural collections, from art and music, to libraries and museums. The BFI's mission is to ensure that our film culture is kept alive, and to inspire the next generation of film talent. It’s the reason the BFI exists and why I am committed to being a BFI Ambassador.”

Amanda Nevill, BFI CEO said, “Tom will be an enormous boost to the BFI and I want to thank him for taking on this extremely important role on behalf of British film.”