BFI London Film Festival 2026 opens Wednesday with Elsinore

The BFI London Film Festival opens on Wednesday 7 October and runs until 18 October. It is the 70th edition of an event the British Film Institute founded in 1957.

The opening film is Elsinore, directed by Simon Stone. Time Out says it tells the true story of Scottish actor Ian Charleson preparing to play Hamlet at the National Theatre in 1974. Andrew Scott and Olivia Colman star. Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut, with Julianne Moore, closes the festival on 18 October.

What to expect at the BFI London Film Festival

Screenings run across London at Royal Festival Hall, BFI IMAX and BFI Southbank. Partner cinemas include Curzon Soho, the ICA, the Prince Charles Cinema and Vue West End. Ten more venues across the UK take part. They include sites in Nottingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Birmingham and Belfast.

The programme has competition strands for new voices. The Sutherland Award honours debut directors. The Grierson Awards recognise documentaries. Thematic strands are named Journey, Create, Cult and Thrill. Screen Talks feature Andrew Scott, Cynthia Erivo and Jesse Eisenberg, among others.

The festival says it is not just for critics and VIPs. Late tickets can appear even for big screenings. That matters in a city where culture often feels priced for insiders. Eleven days of premieres, restored classics, shorts, talks and virtual reality work offer plenty of entry points.

Autumn is crowded for London culture. Our readers may also like our report on Renoir and Love at the National Gallery. Together they show a city leaning into big, shared experiences.

For newcomers, the practical advice is simple. Pick one big premiere and one unknown title. Festival audiences often remember the surprise more than the star. Check running times, since many venues schedule back-to-back screenings and talks across the same evening.

The festival also gives British audiences early sight of films that may shape awards season.

Fact basis: Time Out London festival guide and the 2026 BFI London Film Festival programme details, as of 5 October 2026. Check the BFI site for ticket availability.