The 2024 BFI London Film Festival, scheduled from October 9 to 20, is set to be a vibrant celebration of global cinema with over 250 features, shorts, and immersive projects on display. The festival boasts an impressive lineup, including 39 world premieres, with highly anticipated films such as Blitz by Steve McQueen, Morgan Neville’s Piece by Piece, Elton John: Never Too Late, and Maria starring Angelina Jolie.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Sadie Frost and Twiggy attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Jacob Perlmutter and Manon Ouimet attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Eloise King attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Victoria Mapplebeck and Jim Mapplebeck attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Sasha Nathwani attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Sam Chown-Ahern and Georgia Bradburn attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Peter Ettedgui and Ian Bonhôte attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Iain Forsyth, Caroline Catz and Jane Pollard attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Elizabeth Sankey attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Daisy-May Hudson and Sophie Compton attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Karan Kandhari attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: James Watson attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: James Watson attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Ruaridh Mollica attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: BFI CEO Ben Roberts and BFI Festivals Director Kristy Matheson attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: BFI Festivals Director Kristy Matheson attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Pinny Grylls attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Bona Orakwue attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Bona Orakwue and Eloise King attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Jane Mingay attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Jane Mingay attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Pinny Grylls attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Sam Crane attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: BFI Festivals Director Kristy Matheson attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Rebecca Wollf attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: BFI Festivals Director Kristy Matheson attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: BFI Festivals Director Kristy Matheson (R) attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Cécile Embleton, Alys Tomlinson and Laura Shacham attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Ruaridh Mollica attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Mikko Mäkelä, James Watson and Ruaridh Mollica attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Mikko Mäkelä attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Mikko Mäkelä attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: James Watson attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Karan Kandhari attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Karan Kandhari attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Elizabeth Sankey attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Daisy-May Hudson and Sophie Compton attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Pauline Black attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Pauline Black attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Iain Forsyth, Caroline Catz and Jane Pollard attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Peter Ettedgui and Ian Bonhôte attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Sam Chown-Ahern and Georgia Bradburn attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Deba Hekmat attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Deba Hekmat attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Sasha Nathwani attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Victoria Mapplebeck and Jim Mapplebeck attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Eloise King attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Jacob Perlmutter and Manon Ouimet attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: BFI CEO Ben Roberts attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Sadie Frost attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Sadie Frost and Twiggy attend the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 04: Twiggy attends the 68th BFI London Film Festival launch at BFI Southbank on September 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images for BFI)
The festival’s 68th edition continues to push for inclusivity, with 44% of its films directed by women and non-binary filmmakers. Audience members will enjoy a wide thematic range, with categories like Love, Debate, and Thrill aimed at enriching the cinematic experience across different cultures and genres. Notable films like Conclave and Nightbitch are expected to captivate cinephiles.
A key feature of this year’s festival is its LFF Expanded programme, which explores immersive media through virtual reality (VR), video games, and interactive installations. Highlights include Playing Kafka, an interactive take on Kafka’s The Trial, and Soul Paint, a VR experience narrated by Rosario Dawson that delves into embodied experiences.
In addition to screenings, the festival will offer talks and workshops on crucial societal topics, with a special focus on neurodivergence and mental health. By promoting accessibility through affordable tickets and free events, the festival aims to engage a broader audience.
Cem Kaplan – London