The 70th BFI London Film Festival opened on October 7, 2026, launching a 12-day lineup with a homecoming screening of Simon Stone’s drama Elsinore at the Royal Festival Hall, where Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman joined an enthusiastic crowd.
London’s annual celebration of international cinema kicked off its milestone 70th edition with a packed schedule featuring 251 titles from 88 countries. Alongside major world premieres and awards contenders, the festival brings film culture beyond the capital by partnering with ten cinemas across the United Kingdom, including venues in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, and Manchester.
Andrew Scott Brings Ian Charleson’s Story Home to Southbank
Opening night put theater and personal history in the spotlight with the biographical drama Elsinore. Directed by Simon Stone, the film chronicles actor Ian Charleson. For the star, the screening location carried profound personal resonance.
Scott told the assembled audience that it was incredibly cool
to open the festival on the Southbank because the venue sat just thirty seconds away from the National Theatre where the movie is set.
“I’m so grateful that I even get to play this part, I’m not sure that even 10 years ago they would’ve put me in a film like this, as an out gay actor.”
Andrew Scott, Actor
Before leaving the stage, Scott invited the house DJ to play a disco version of Ethel Merman’s There’s No Business Like Show Business
to honor Charleson’s enduring spirit. Festival organizers also welcomed real-life figures who inspired the film, including Dr. Margaret Johnson, portrayed on screen by Olivia Colman, and Ian Charleson’s sister, Lizzie Charleson. The opening night event also welcomed cast members including Billie Piper and Johnny Flynn.
Spanning 12 days of events and screenings, the 70th installment showcases a combination of major award contenders and global debuts, with red-carpet appearances anticipated from stars like Robert Pattinson, Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Jenna Ortega, Sebastian Stan, and Cynthia Erivo over the coming days.
Global Premieres and Star-Studded Slate
Beyond the opening night gala, the 12-day program hosts prominent international titles and high-profile world premieres. The festival is showcasing its fantasy feature Wildwood from director Travis Knight, alongside Brad Bird’s animated movie Ray Gunn. Centering on the escapades of a minor-league investigator voiced by Sam Rockwell alongside a vocalist portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, Brad Bird’s neo-noir picture “Ray Gunn” is additionally slated for its initial festival screening.
High-profile world premieres of animated movies also include Ray Gunn by Brad Bird and Wildwood by Travis Knight.
Jordan Firstman’s Club Kid, Cristian Mungiu’s Fjord, and the Klara and The Sun adaptation by Taika Waititi are all scheduled for festival screenings.
Artistic Director Shapes Festival Competitions
Artistic Director Kristy Matheson curated this year’s selection, noting that the programming emphasizes themes of labor, care systems, and personal histories. Female filmmakers directed approximately 43 percent of the total lineup. In the official competition, ten international films vie for the top prize, featuring works by directors such as Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ‘Look Back,’ Carol Morley’s ‘7 Miles Away,’ and Giovanni Tortorici’s ‘Ketticè,’ which features Monica Bellucci. Among the competition entries are several notably humorous motion pictures, notably The Idiot(s) helmed by filmmakers Michal Englert and Malgorzata Szumowska.
The program is structured into thematic strands such as ‘Love’ and ‘Life/Drawing,’ alongside a series of ‘Screen Talks’ featuring industry figures like Cynthia Erivo, Sofia Coppola, and John Malkovich.
Public Ticket Sales Open for BFI Screenings
General ticket sales for the public opened on September 17, offering accessible screenings alongside specialized youth discounts. While many gala screenings sold out quickly, additional ticket releases continue to draw crowds to BFI Southbank and regional partner venues. Dedicated enthusiasts can catch glimpses of celebrities from the balconies and upper levels of the main venue’s staircase that look out over the red carpet.