What to expect at the BFI Film Festival in London, including BFI Film Festival premieres, film industry networking opportunities and how to get tickets.
Every year, the British Film Institute hosts the London Film Festival (LFF), giving productions a platform to showcase extraordinary talents from all over the globe and allowing film fans the chance to get up close and personal with their favourite stars.
This guide provides insights into the events that take place during the festival – from premieres to Q&A sessions and opportunities to network with film industry professionals. As a film festival regular, I share my tips for how to attend the festival and what events aren’t to be missed.
Film Festival Premieres aka Gala Screenings
Much like all film festivals, the LFF plays host to world premieres of some of the most exciting upcoming releases. Last year, we saw Steve McQueen’s Blitz, Christmas animated feature That Christmas and Ernest Shackleton documentary Endurance alongside others.
The Gala Screenings are the glitz of the festival, with their special presentation screenings held at London’s Royal Festival Hall with the red carpets taking place beside the River Thames. The glamorous events are highly-anticipated every year, with sell out screenings every night. Tickets are hard to come by, so be quick when they are released on the BFI website in the build-up to the event. Being a BFI Member allows you early access to the ticket sales.
Surprise Film
Every year, the’ Surprise Film’ screening is one of the biggest nights on the festival calendar. Rumours about what the screening will be always start spreading during the festival’s build up, but no one, except BFI executives and the filmmakers themselves, know what film will be shown. All is revealed when the sell-out audience takes their seats and the title cards roll.
Last year, at the 2024 LFF, the surprise film was Saturday Night, the real-time comedy-drama set during the 90 minutes before the first-ever episode of Saturday Night Live went on air. A thrilling, chaotic and hilarious drama full of stand-out performances.
Previous years’ surprise films have included Ferrari (2023), Green Book (2018), Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014) and Sideways (2004), among many more.
Much like the Gala screenings, the Surprise Film tickets get snapped up, so be quick! You will often find resell tickets available through most social media networks – just be wary of scams.
Public Screenings
There is always a chance to see all the films on the programme at the public screenings. Although they’re not as glamorous as the Gala screenings, they’re a great opportunity to ensure you don’t miss out on the films on your ‘to watch’ list.
The screenings are often hosted at the Royal Festival Hall, as well as other cinemas around the capital including the BFI Southbank, BFI IMAX, Prince Charles Cinema, Curzon Mayfair, Curzon Soho, Vue West End and the Institute of Contemporary Arts.
The public screenings tickets go on sale on the BFI website ahead of the festival, you can also purchase tickets at the BFI Southbank from their box office where the helpful festival volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions.
Screen Talks
Another highlight of the festival programme are the screen talks. They’re an opportunity to be in the room with leading filmmakers, producers, actors and other industry experts as they talk through their careers and give an insight into what it means to bring a film to the LFF.
2024’s screen talks included Denis Villenueve, Lupita Nyong’o, Mike Leigh, Andrea Arnold, Sean Baker, Daniel Kaluuya, Steve McQueen, Zoe Saldaña and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi.
Like all the other events and screenings at the LFF, the tickets for the screen talks are like gold dust. If you don’t manage to get tickets on general release, you can try joining the stand-by line. More on that below.
LFF for Free
Much like all film festivals, the LFF can feel like a bit of a money crunch, so if you’d like to experience the festivities without breaking the bank, take advantage of the fantastic ‘LFF for Free’ programme.
LFF for Free hosts a series of talks, short film presentations and Q&A sessions at various locations around the festival over the course of the full 12 days at venues such as the BFI Southbank and the OXO Gallery.
LFF for Free includes:
Free Talks
Some of the previous free talks included: 30 Years of Dreamworks Animation, I Put a Spell on You: Witches on Screen and Love for Sale: Sex Workers on Screen, among many more.
Film in Print
A series of talks, Q&As and book signings from authors whose written work is inspired by the big screen. 2024’s included: Mark Cousins in Conversation, Reassessing the Romcom with Corrina Antrobus and The Worlds of Wes Anderson with Adam Woodward.
A Beginner’s Guide to…
Taking place in the BFI Festival Cafe, a series of drop-in talks from industry experts take place discussing prolific filmmakers and guides to watching their films. It’s a chance to kick back and take a break from the festival, whilst still being engrossed in the magic of the movies.
The cafe is the perfect location for these sessions and creates a casual atmosphere for these conversations and is a great opportunity to network with film industry professionals.
Family
A series of events for younger audiences to enjoy, the family programme includes talks, discussion groups and craft workshops for the whole family to enjoy.
As well as all of these amazing sessions, there are also short film presentations, networking events and even DJ nights on offer.
Top Tips
With so many films to be seen and amazing events on offer, the BFI Film Festival can, at times, feel overwhelming. Here are some insider tips to bear in mind to make the most of the festival:
Make use of the standby line
If the film or presentation you’re dying to see is sold out, don’t panic. Head to the BFI Southbank Box Office and they will let you know if there have been any return tickets. If not, they will direct you to the standby line where they will do all they can to get you into the screening. They want the screenings to be full, so waiting on standby is useful for them, too.
Stay refreshed at BFI Southbank’s cafés and bars
The main hub of the LFF is the BFI Southbank, where you will find plenty of food and drink spaces. The riverfront bar, balcony bar and restaurant is a great place to refuel in between screenings. The Festival Cafe in the main foyer of the BFI is where you can catch the ‘A Beginners Guide to…’ lunchtime sessions as part of the LFF for Free programme and the BFI Reuben Library is a perfect quiet space to revise your schedule, write up your reviews or do a spot of reading to wind down.
Discover the local area
The LFF is an amazing opportunity not just to see fantastic films and presentations, but to enjoy London in all its glory. Have a walk around the area and soak up the sights – take a stroll down the river towards the OXO Gallery if you have time.
As part of 2024’s LFF, they hosted a free exhibition celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Dreamworks animation and the release of The Wild Robot.
The London Film Festival is a staple in the festival calendar for filmmakers from all over the world. To keep an eye on the details of 2025’s BFI London Film Festival head to the BFI website.
Time to start counting down to the next London Film Festival in October 2025!
Take a look at our website for more festival advice, including how to make a short film and plenty of tips for the Edinburgh Fringe.
