The 70th BFI London Film Festival has announced the full programme line-up.
The LFF will present a programme of 251 features, shorts, series and immersive works from 88 countries playing across the 12 days of the festival. This includes 109 works made by female filmmakers (43% of the programme) and 33 World premieres.
World Premieres from filmmakers and artists include: Anthony Wonke’s British boxing biopic IN THE SHADOWS, Laika’s latest animation WILDWOOD from Travis Knight, Brad Bird’s smart animated caper RAY GUNN, Carol Morley’s moving semi-autobiographical adaptation 7 MILES OUT, adaptation of the West End hit FRANK AND PERCY from Sean Mathias, Federico Borgia’s dark and original take on domestic life PRINCE, hilarious cinematic autofiction THE BANNING CURSE from Mohsen Amiryousefi, THE WHISPER OF SUNLIGHT from acclaimed documentarian Siu-pong Wong, Ken Fero and Tariq Mehmood’s electrifying documentary about the Bradford 12 REBELLION, Michael Winterbottom’s latest THE TRIP TO THE NORTHERN LIGHTS with Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan, comedian Leo Reich’s new series IT GETS WORSE and new immersive experience from CROSSLUCID and Orion Facey RED THE OCEAN AROUND U.
International Premieres include: Boots Riley’s anti-capitalist vision I LOVE BOOSTERS, this year’s Patron’s Gala the stylishly crafted portrait of a classical musician BEHEMOTH! from Tony Gilroy, Giovanni Tortorici’s vibrant coming-of-age story KETTICÈ, Hyun Lee’s fashionably hip and charming debut FRENCH GIRLS, the awe-inspiring documentary CARL SAGAN: WE ARE MADE OF STAR STUFF from Nanette Burstein, Alejandra Pérez González’ glorious Mexican animation MY FRIEND THE SUN, heartfelt hybrid documentary about filmmaker Ashley Duong’s father BA’S BOOK, Jessica Johnson and Ryan Ermacora’s richly cinematic 35mm documentary CONCRETE TURNED TO SAND and allegorical sci-fi fable TROPICAL FRACTALS from Leonardo Pirondi.
Galas playing at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall include: Siân Heder’s enthralling film about disability rights activist Judith Heumann BEING HEUMANN, Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s intense psychological study THE BELOVED, Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo’s genre-defying queer epic LA BOLA NEGRA, Florian Zeller’s elegantly crafted psychological thriller BUNKER, Jordan Firstman’s hilarious feature directorial debut CLUB KID, Paweł Pawlikowski’s exploration of the fragmented soul of postwar Germany FATHERLAND, Cristian Mungiu’s masterful moral dilemma FJORD, this year’s Mayor’s Gala Danny Boyle’s kinetic story of Rupert Murdoch’s Fleet Street career INK, Taika Waititi’s luminous adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestselling novel KLARA AND THE SUN, Andrew Haigh’s sensitive adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s short story A LONG WINTER, Andrey Zvyagintsev’stransposition of Claude Chabrol’s La Femme infidèle to contemporary Russia MINOTAUR, James Gray’s tense and atmospheric thriller PAPER TIGER, Lee Chang-dong’s masterfully directed follow-up to Burning (LFF 2018) POSSIBLE LOVE, Susanna White’s much-anticipated screen adaptation of Suzie Miller’s globally acclaimed play PRIMA FACIE, Mike Leigh’s thought-provoking and compassionate view of urban life TENDER LOVING CARE, Martin McDonagh continues to mine the absurdities and complexities of male relationships in WILD HORSE NINE, and Bassam Tariq’s follow up to Mogul Mowgli (LFF 2020) with gripping, inventive thriller YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER YOUR MOTHER.
As previously announced, this year’s Opening Night Gala is the European premiere of Simon Stone’s powerful and inspiring true story of actor Ian Charleson ELSINORE, and the Closing Night Gala is the UK premiere of Jesse Eisenberg’s raucously funny love letter to community theatre THE DEBUT.
Kristy Matheson, Artistic Director, BFI Festivals, said: “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. Then, 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.”
Ben Roberts, Chief Executive, BFI said: “This year, the blockbusters, the indie breakouts and the debuts have drawn audiences to cinemas in record numbers. A reminder that discovering a new film in a room of fellow fans is a thrill like nothing else. As our anticipation builds for LFF, we’re grateful to everyone who helps us fill screens across the UK: to our brilliant audiences, Members and Patrons; the visionary filmmakers and film teams who bring their work; our generous funders, sponsors and industry partners; and, of course, the excellent teams at the BFI.”
Staff Reporter
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