Lifestyle
9 Things You Need To Know About The BFI London Film Festival
This year’s festival line-up will showcase global talent and offer something to every type of cinemagoer.
Battered by the fallout from Covid and strikes, the film world is facing tough times. But fear not: the 67th BFI festival promises to celebrate the industry in all its glory. Here are the things you need to know about it.
This year’s BFI London Film Festival runs from October 4 to October 15 at venues in the capital, around the UK and on BFI Player. Tickets are on sale now. Buy yours here.
The first BFI London Film Festival took place in 1957 and featured the work of cinematic giants Federico Fellini and Ingmar Bergman.
Academy-award-winning writer and director Emerald Fennell will open the festival with her second film, Saltburn. Starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike, the psychological thriller follows a young Oxford student as he becomes obsessed by the aristocratic family of his wealthy schoolmate.
Kibwe Tavares and Daniel Kaluuya’s British sci-fi film, The Kitchen, will close the festival. The occasion will mark the dystopian movie’s world premiere.
Bradley Cooper’s second feature film, The Maestro, will have three screenings at the festival. The movie celebrates the life of Leonard Bernstein and was made with the permission of the legendary composer’s children. It is further proof that what Cooper touches turns to gold.
Critics are already calling Martin Scorsese’s new movie, Killers of the Flower Moon, ‘an instant classic’. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, it is scheduled for the Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday of the festival. It follows the mysterious murder of members of the Native American Osage tribe in the 1920s, which sets in motion an FBI investigation involving Edgar J. Hoover.
Sofia Coppola has turned her stylish hand to the whirlwind romance of Elvis and Priscilla Presley in this certain blockbuster. The biopic is an adaptation of Priscilla’s own memoir.
With star turns by Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Dagmara Dominczyk, Priscilla screenings are sure to sell out fast.
Aardman Animations’s Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will have its world premiere at the festival. The sequel to Chicken Run (which was the highest-grossing stop motion animated film of all time) is voiced by Thandie Newton, Imelda Staunton and Jane Horrocks. Director Sam Fell says: “We’ve poured everything we’ve got into making this a treat for both die-hard fans and the new generation of families discovering Chicken Run for the first time.”
The new Festival Director, 40-year-old Australian Kristy Matheson, says: ‘In a world where the next stressful encounter often feels like it’s moments away, come join us and take temporary cover under this wondrous blanket of art, and re-enter the world a little bit refreshed and excited by a new burning obsession that you can’t wait to share.’
By Becky Ladenburg
September 2023
ONE
This year’s BFI London Film Festival runs from October 4 to October 15 at venues in the capital, around the UK and on BFI Player. Tickets are on sale now. Buy yours here.
TWO
The first BFI London Film Festival took place in 1957 and featured the work of cinematic giants Federico Fellini and Ingmar Bergman.
THREE
Academy-award-winning writer and director Emerald Fennell will open the festival with her second film, Saltburn. Starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike, the psychological thriller follows a young Oxford student as he becomes obsessed by the aristocratic family of his wealthy schoolmate.
FOUR
Kibwe Tavares and Daniel Kaluuya’s British sci-fi film, The Kitchen, will close the festival. The occasion will mark the dystopian movie’s world premiere.
FIVE
Bradley Cooper’s second feature film, The Maestro, will have three screenings at the festival. The movie celebrates the life of Leonard Bernstein and was made with the permission of the legendary composer’s children. It is further proof that what Cooper touches turns to gold.
SIX
Critics are already calling Martin Scorsese’s new movie, Killers of the Flower Moon, ‘an instant classic’. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, it is scheduled for the Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday of the festival. It follows the mysterious murder of members of the Native American Osage tribe in the 1920s, which sets in motion an FBI investigation involving Edgar J. Hoover.
SEVEN
Sofia Coppola has turned her stylish hand to the whirlwind romance of Elvis and Priscilla Presley in this certain blockbuster. The biopic is an adaptation of Priscilla’s own memoir.
With star turns by Cailee Spaeny, Jacob Elordi, Dagmara Dominczyk, Priscilla screenings are sure to sell out fast.
EIGHT
Aardman Animations’s Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will have its world premiere at the festival. The sequel to Chicken Run (which was the highest-grossing stop motion animated film of all time) is voiced by Thandie Newton, Imelda Staunton and Jane Horrocks. Director Sam Fell says: “We’ve poured everything we’ve got into making this a treat for both die-hard fans and the new generation of families discovering Chicken Run for the first time.”
NINE
The new Festival Director, 40-year-old Australian Kristy Matheson, says: ‘In a world where the next stressful encounter often feels like it’s moments away, come join us and take temporary cover under this wondrous blanket of art, and re-enter the world a little bit refreshed and excited by a new burning obsession that you can’t wait to share.’
By Becky Ladenburg
September 2023
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Becky Ladenburg
Features Editor
As The Guide's features editor, Becky has her discerning finger on the cultural pulse. She's also our go-to expert on the property market.
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