DANIEL CRAIG, STEVE MCQUEEN AND ANGELINA JOLIE HEAD TO LONDON FILM FESTIVAL!
6th September 2024
The 2024 BFI London Film Festival is set to showcase an impressive lineup of films, taking place from October 9 to 20 across various venues in London and partner cinemas across the UK. This year marks the 68th edition of the festival, featuring a total of 168 films, including 15 world premieres.
Among the highlights are Steve McQueen’s opening night film “Blitz” and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s documentary “Endurance,” which delves into the lost ship of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton. Other notable world premieres include Sophie Compton and Daisy-May Hudson’s “Holloway,” a documentary about one of Europe’s largest women’s prisons, and Steven Knight’s Victorian boxing series “A Thousand Blows,” starring Stephen Graham
The festival’s lineup includes an eclectic mix of films across various genres and from a diverse group of filmmakers. High-profile galas feature international and European premieres such as “Elton John: Never Too Late” by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, Sean Baker’s “Anora,” Andrea Arnold’s “Bird,” Edward Berger’s “Conclave,” and Pablo Larraín’s “Maria.” The Mayor of London’s Gala will feature John Crowley’s “We Live In Time,” starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield. The festival will also present a range of special presentations, including “The Ballad Of Suzanne Césaire” by Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich and “Dahomey” by Mati Diop.
In addition to the film screenings, the festival includes LFF Expanded, a programme dedicated to immersive art and extended reality works, running from October 11 to 27. This year, for the first time, video games will be part of the LFF Expanded lineup, showcasing interactive projects that blend storytelling and screen technology. The festival also emphasises accessibility, offering free events, talks, and short films through LFF For Free, alongside reduced ticket prices for young audiences.
With over 44% of the selected works directed by female and non-binary filmmakers, the festival continues to promote diversity and inclusion within the industry. A wide array of awards will be contested, including the Best Film Award, the Sutherland Award for the most original directorial debut, and the Grierson Award for feature-length documentaries. The winners will be announced on the final day of the festival, October 20, alongside audience awards where viewers can vote for their favourite films!
