The BFI London Film Festival has unveiled the full programme for this year’s 70th edition, with films from Danny Boyle, Taika Waititi, and Jesse Eisenberg all part of the lineup.
The festival runs from October 7-18 and is the highlight of the British cinema calendar. This year’s edition features 251 titles, comprising of short films, features, series and immersive works from 88 countries. The robust line-up is led by star-studded galas, which this year feature some of the biggest names in the industry making their return.
The opening night gala is Elsinore, a drama based on the true story of Ian Charleston (Andrew Scott), an actor who faces a personal and professional challenge performing Hamlet while seriously ill from AIDS. Olivia Colman also stars in the film, which is directed by Simon Stone (The Dig).
The closing night gala is The Debut, Jesse Eisenberg’s follow up to the Oscar winning A Real Pain, which is a comedy set in the world of community theatre, starring Julianne Moore and Halle Berry.
Danny Boyle, who debuted his Oscar winning drama Slumdog Millionaire at the LFF, is back with Ink, starring Jack O’Connell (Sinners) as media mogul Rupert Murdoch in the story of how he acquired tabloid newspaper The Sun. Elsewhere, Marvel director Taika Waititi adapts Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestselling novel Klara And The Sun, starring Jenna Ortega as an artificial life form who comes into the life of a troubled young girl.
Two animated giants step into the spotlight, as Incredibles director Brad Bird debuts his futuristic detective film Ray Gunn, while celebrated studio Laika returns with magical fantasy Wildwood.
Other highlights include Tony Gilroy’s Behemoth!, a star-studded musical drama led by Pedro Pascal, activist biopic Being Heumann, Cynthia Erivo in the big-screen adaptation of the play Prima Face, Martin McDonagh’s follow-up to Banshees Of Inisherin, Wild Horse Nine, and Boots Riley’s satire I Love Boosters starring Keke Palmer and Demi Moore.
The full programme and ticket information can be found here.
“When this festival first sprung to life 70 years ago, little more than a decade after the end of the Second World War, British society was in a period of rapid social change,” Kristy Matheson, Artistic Director of BFI Festivals, said in a statement.
“Like now, we turn to artists to synthesise our times. And what a vision they have for us in 2026; tumults of the era live inside our programme, but so too do cinematic thrills, moral conundrums and a reoccurring exploration of care and community. If you find yourself in London, or across the UK, this October, the opportunity to experience worlds outside ourselves will be on offer. We hope you can join us.”
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