BFI London Film Festival 2025: A Global Celebration of Cinema Returns with Groundbreaking Programme
A Landmark Year for British Cinema
The 69th BFI London Film Festival (LFF) has unveiled its full lineup for 2025, featuring 166 feature films, including six world premieres. This represents a slight decrease from the previous year’s 168 features and 15 world premieres.
The festival boasts an impressive 247 titles, including features, shorts, series, and immersive works from 79 countries. Festival Director Kristy Matheson has invited audiences to craft their own festival journey across premiere screenings, dynamic interactive exhibitions, and compelling talks programmes with leading cinema practitioners. The programme promises to showcase the incredible state of cinema in 2025, featuring formal innovations and essential perspectives on our world.
Festival Highlights and Innovations
The festival will be hosted at multiple prestigious venues, including BFI Southbank and the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, along with various cinemas across central London. Expanding its reach, the LFF On Tour programme will visit 11 UK-wide partner venues, including two new additions: the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford (the 2025 City of Culture) and the Filmhouse in Edinburgh.
The festival’s Screen Talks series will feature prominent industry figures such as Yorgos Lanthimos, Daniel Day-Lewis, Richard Linklater, and Tessa Thompson. Additionally, the festival will introduce an LFF Expanded industry day on October 15, supported by Southbank Centre.
Significant Premieres and Programming
Among the world premieres is Rowan Athale’s UK boxing drama ‘Giant,’ starring Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan. The film chronicles the story of boxer Prince Naseem ‘Naz’ Hamed’s rise from Sheffield’s working-class streets. Another notable premiere is ‘Moss & Freud,’ a dramatized account of model Kate Moss sitting for renowned British artist Lucian Freud, featuring Ellie Bamber and Derek Jacobi.
The festival will run from October 8 to 19, 2025, with general ticket sales beginning on September 16.