LONDON FILM FESTIVAL 2020 LINE UP!

7th September 2020

 The BFI London Film Festival takes place 7^th-18^th October 2020 and they have just unleashed a super eclectic line up of films.

The festival has had to adapt to the changes due to COVID but managed to retain all the things we love about it. They will once again explore films made around themes such as Love, Debate, Hate, Dare and Experimenta. Exploring subject matters including equality and race.

Films to look out for include Steve McQueens ‘Mangrove’ documenting the real story of revolt against the police over 50 years ago in London, riots that empowered black people to fight against the system. Harry Macqueen’s love story ‘Supernova’ starring Colin Firth and  the awesome Stanley Tucci while Chloé Zhao’s drama Nomadland with the incredible Frances McDormand also look like being stand out moments, Another exciting film on the line up is Pixar’s animation ‘Soul’ which has been directed by Pete Docter, who gave us ‘Inside Out’ so expect something special.

Look out for David Byrne’s American Utopia, the critically acclaimed Broadway show has been directed by Oscar and Emmy-winner Spike Lee for the big screen. Recorded during its run at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre in New York City, David Byrne is joined by an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers, and dancers from around the globe, inviting audiences into a joyous dreamworld where human connection, self-evolution, and social justice are paramount.

Film fans will be given an opportunity to enjoy a unique and innovative festival experience, with both live and digital screenings across the 12 days of the Festival. It plans to give us up to 50 Virtual Festival Premieres in a programme that offers audiences the opportunity to see the best new cinema from around the world including fiction, documentary, animation, artists’ moving image, and restored classics from the world’s archives.

Every film will be presented with an intro or Q&A, and the programme will also include a range of free-to-access additional works and events to include: an international short film programme, Screen Talks with major filmmakers and actors, salons and roundtables and a brand new Virtual Exhibition of XR and Immersive Art.

Actors Riz Ahmed and Letitia Wright will join filmmakers Michel Franco, Miranda July, Tsai Ming-liang, Christian Petzold, musician and performer David Byrne and artist Es Devlin (as part of LFF Expanded), for a series of LFF Screen Talks offering audiences a unique opportunity to learn about the careers of these renowned creatives. . In addition to Screen Talks, the LFF will also host live salons and discussion events tackling subjects emerging from the films.

BFI London Film Festival Director, Tricia Tuttle said:

Like many other live events around the world, we’ve had to make changes to our plans in response to a global pandemic, factoring in safety concerns and restrictions – some known, some still unclear. But as we’ve undergone this planning we’ve also witnessed historical international protests, an urgent reminder of just how much we need to do to combat racism and inequality.

This year has also given us an opportunity to think creatively about how we make the Festival more accessible. It was vital to us that we get back to cinemas, and are looking forward to working with independent and cultural venues across the UK who are such an essential part of our film ecosystem. The Virtual LFF programmes and these cinema screenings take the Festival out across the UK, giving people opportunities to engage in different ways.

It’s a pleasure each year to speak with audiences who share the ways filmmakers have made them laugh, think, weep, or shifted their way of seeing. Through a number of partnerships and platforms, we can’t wait to share many of this year’s extraordinary new films – from around the world, from artists of different backgrounds and with many bold distinctive filmmaking voices.

 Viewers attending Virtual LFF will be invited to vote on Audience Awards in four categories: Best Fiction Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Film, and Best XR.  The winners will be announced in a live online ceremony on the final weekend of the Festival. Now in its fifth year, The IWC Schaffhausen Filmmaker Bursary Award in association with the BFI returns, benefitting an outstanding first or second time British writer, director, or writer/director. The recipient of the award will receive £50,000, which is the most significant of its kind in the UK film industry and awarded annually.

Festival Information & Ticket Booking

BFI Members’ priority booking opens Wednesday 16^th September – join at www.bfi.org.uk/join

Pre-sale booking dates for Amex cardholders: 18^th September

Public booking opens Monday 21^st September

Telephone Bookings: 020 7928 3232

Online: www.bfi.org.uk/lff

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