From 8 to 19 October 2025, the BFI London Film Festival presents 247 works from 79 countries, 42% by female and non-binary filmmakers, with 27 world premieres in cinemas and online nationwide.
The 69th BFI London Film Festival (LFF), in partnership with American Express, unveils its full 2025 programme, running 8–19 October across cinemas and online throughout the UK. Audiences are invited to explore 247 films, series, shorts and immersive works from 79 countries, including 103 titles by female and non-binary filmmakers (42% of the line-up) and 27 world premieres, confirming LFF as one of the world’s most diverse and forward‑looking festivals.
Venues and nationwide screenings
The festival’s beating heart remains BFI Southbank and the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, which host gala screenings, special presentations, official competition titles and series programmes. Royal Festival Hall showcases the Gala programme on its impressive 18‑metre screen with state‑of‑the‑art sound, creating a flagship venue for high‑profile premieres.
Across London, iconic cinemas including Curzon Mayfair, Curzon Soho, ICA, Prince Charles Cinema and Vue West End participate in the festival, while the BFI IMAX, the UK’s largest screen, hosts high‑impact presentations. LFF also expands nationwide via 11 partner venues and regional hubs in cities such as Nottingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Belfast, Sheffield, Newcastle, Bradford, Edinburgh and Bristol, ensuring access to festival highlights across the country.
Highlights and world premieres
The 2025 programme features 27 world premieres, 11 international premieres and 20 European premieres, spanning genres and formats. Among the standout titles:
GIANT – a British boxing drama starring Amir El‑Masry and Pierce Brosnan (World Premiere).
MOSS & FREUD – an artistic portrait documentary directed by James Lucas.
SUPER NATURE – an environmental documentary by Ed Sayers.
MORE LIFE – the debut feature by director Bradley Banton.
HIGH WIRE – a British‑Chinese immigrant story by Calif Chong.
THE DEATH OF BUNNY MUNRO – an adaptation of Nick Cave’s novel, starring Matt Smith.
A newly remastered version of HOTEL LONDON by Ahmed Alauddin Jamal.
Alongside these premieres, the festival hosts work from returning auteurs and emerging voices across its strands—Galas, Special Presentations, Official Competition, First Feature, Documentary, Experimenta and more.
Star filmmakers and new voices
LFF 2025 welcomes back acclaimed filmmakers including Rian Johnson, Noah Baumbach, Yorgos Lanthimos, Richard Linklater, Lynne Ramsay, Chloé Zhao, Guillermo del Toro, Jim Jarmusch and others, whose latest films screen across gala and competition sections. At the same time, an exciting generation of new directors debuts at the festival, among them Kristen Stewart, Ronan Day‑Lewis, Bradley Banton and peers from around the world, highlighting fresh, diverse and innovative cinematic perspectives.
LFF Expanded and immersive experiences
Since 2020, LFF Expanded has showcased cutting‑edge immersive and XR work, and 2025 continues this trajectory with experiences that push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling. Highlights include the UK premiere of FUTURE BOTANICA, an AI‑driven augmented reality journey, and Andrew Schneider’s N O W I S W H E N W E A R E (THE STARS), an interactive installation that transforms the Rambert Studio into a theatrical cosmos of light and sound.
The Expanded strand also offers VR lounges, gaming showcases and animated interactive works, inviting audiences to explore how cinema converges with games, performance and virtual environments.
Industry Forum, talks and XR focus
The Industry Forum provides panels, masterclasses and talks with international producers, writers, sales agents and creatives, fostering dialogue on funding, distribution and new storytelling models. New for 2025 is the LFF Expanded Industry Day, focused on XR, immersive media and gaming, designed to connect professionals across screen sectors and share insights into emerging technologies and business models.
Accessibility, pricing and LFF for Free
Accessibility and inclusion are central to the festival’s mission. LFF 2025 includes “LFF for Free” programmes—free screenings, talks and events—alongside affordable ticketing. Standard London screenings start from around £10, with dedicated £6 (or £5) tickets for audiences aged 25 and under, and additional concession schemes for those on Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance. Selected films and events are also available via BFI Player, extending access to viewers across the UK.
As Festival Director Kristy Matheson notes, this autumn audiences are invited to “craft their own festival journey”, moving between premiere screenings, interactive exhibitions and in‑depth conversations with leading creators, and witnessing first‑hand the vibrant evolution of storytelling in 2025.
FULL PROGRAMME here
🎥 Follow The Hidden Review!
Stay ahead with the latest news, reviews, interviews, tips from our Blog, exclusive insights, and behind-the-scenes updates on movies, TV shows, and more!
📌 Don’t miss out—hit that subscribe button and tap the bell for notifications. 🔔
🔍 Stay in the know with The Hidden Review:
✨ Discover what’s hidden, only with The Hidden Review.
©2025 The Hidden Review
Leave a Reply