The 69th BFI London Film Festival (LFF), in partnership with American Express, returns from 7–18 October 2026 with a dazzling line-up of films, premieres, talks and immersive experiences across London and the UK.
The BFI London Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world along with alongside the Cannes Film Festival, the Berlinale, Venice International Film Festival. It is held in the UK capital in October.
History of the BFI London Film Festival
What began as a dinner party discussion at the home of Film critic Dilys Powell bemoaning a lack of a quality film festival in the UK capital has grown into one of Europe’s premier film events. The first festival was held at the National Film Theatre (NFT), now called the BFI Southbank, in 1957. Initially the festival was conceived as a ‘festival of festival’ screening films that had claimed awards at Cannes, Venice and Berlin. The original screening was Akira Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood. It was not until 1960 that the first British film, Karel Reisz’s Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, was screened.
By the 1970s the festival had evolved to include many UK premiers. Now the London Film Festival is truly global featuring films from all continents at venues across London and not just on the Southbank. In its 60-something years, the BFI has seen actors and directors from around the world brave the Autumnal British weather to grace the red carpet.
BFI London Film Festival 2026
The 70th BFI London Film Festival returns from 7 to 18 October 2026 with an ambitious programme of 251 features, shorts, series and immersive works from 88 countries. Centred on BFI Southbank and the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, the festival also spreads across cinemas and venues throughout central London, with selected films reaching audiences across the UK through LFF On Tour.
The festival also welcomes a formidable line-up of filmmakers and performers for Screen Talks, including Andrew Scott, Ava DuVernay, Cynthia Erivo, Jesse Eisenberg and John Malkovich. Danny Boyle, Brad Bird, James Gray and Naomi Ackie are among the other guests.
Beyond the cinema, LFF Expanded explores immersive art, extended reality and gaming, while LFF for Free offers talks, workshops, DJ nights, family events and free short films on BFI Player.
For full programme details visit bfi.org.uk/lff.
Festival Awards and Competitions
The 70th BFI London Film Festival will announce the winners of its four competition awards on Sunday 18 October, with juries bringing considerable filmmaking experience to this year’s competitions.
The Official Competition jury is headed by acclaimed American documentary filmmaker Sam Pollard, whose work has explored race, history and social justice over a career spanning more than four decades. He is joined by Argentine filmmaker and writer Mariano Llinás and DDA Global Chief Strategy Officer Julie La Bassiere. Ten films compete for the Best Film Award, including Carol Morley’s 7 Miles Out, Hirokazu Koreeda’s Look Back and Sergei Loznitsa’s Imperium.
British Egyptian actor and producer Amir El-Masry leads the First Feature Competition jury for the Sutherland Award, which recognises the most original and imaginative directorial debut. Ten films are nominated, including Ashley Walters’ Animol and Olive Nwosu’s Lady.
The Grierson Award jury is chaired by British Indian writer and director Sandhya Suri, whose debut fiction feature Santosh premiered at Cannes. Eight documentaries compete for the award, which recognises work with integrity, originality and social or cultural significance.
Producer and writer Helen Simmons heads the Short Film Competition jury, with ten films competing for the Short Film Award.
Audiences will also have their say through three Audience Awards: Best Feature Film, Best Short and Best British Discovery.
You can see details of these here.
For a more indie film festival in London try the Raindance Film Festival.
Where is the BFI Film Festival?
The BFI Southbank (main image) is the home of the festival but there will be screenings at cinemas and venues across London including: BFI Southbank IMAX; Curzon Mayfair; Curzon Soho; Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA); Prince Charles Cinema and Vue West End. A list of all the venues can be found here.
BFI London Film Festival Tickets
To see prices and to purchase tickets for the festival, click here.
When is the 70th BFI London Film Festival?
From 7 to 18 October, 2026.
Cover image: Misty Green