BFI London Film Festival 2020

Looking to discover this year’s best new films?

Get ready for the 64th British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival, kick-starting film festival season in Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus.

Running from 7-18 October 2020, this year is the first ever edition to be widely accessible from wherever you are in the UK, with over 50 virtual premieres, free online events and cinema screenings across the nation.

Exclusive film previews will be taking place at BFI Southbank venue, whilst the digital festival premieres will be available via the online BFI Player.

So, whether you’re attending in person or trying the all-new virtual experiences, don’t miss the boldest, most innovative BFI London Film Festival for decades.

Bookings are now open for festival tickets, from as little as £12 each.

So, what are you waiting for?

Book your tickets online now.

Looking for LFF screenings in Leicester Square?

This year, the Prince Charles Cinema in the heart of Leicester Square and the Curzon only seconds away, are your nearest cinemas showing BFI London Film Festival Films.

Screening must-watch titles from the likes of Mangrove, multi-award winning director Steve McQueen’s rousing tale of Black solidarity and resistance brings a seminal moment in British history into sharp focus, or Shirley, starring Elisabeth Moss as Shirley Jackson a writer who gets the inspiration she needs when two young newlyweds come to stay in a town where a local girl disappears, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

So, get ready to rediscover London’s home of film.

See the full list of screenings at the Prince Charles Cinema.

See the full list of screenings at the Curzon.

BFI LFF CLOSING GALA FILM: AMMONITE

Don’t miss the closing gala film of the BFI London Film Festival 2020, screening at ODEON Luxe in Leicester Square on Saturday 17^th October 2020.

Starring Kate Winslet, Fiona Shaw, James McArdle, Alec Secareanu, Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Jones, Ammonite a must-watch movie this autumn.

In 1800s England, acclaimed but unrecognized fossil hunter Mary Anning (Kate Winslet) works alone on the rugged Southern coastline. With the days of her famed discoveries behind her, she now searches for common fossils to sell to tourists to support herself and her ailing mother.

When a wealthy visitor entrusts Mary with the care of his wife Charlotte Murchison (Saoirse Ronan), she cannot afford to turn his offer down. Proud and relentlessly passionate about her work, Mary initially clashes with her unwelcome guest, but despite the distance between their social class and personalities, an intense bond begins to develop, compelling the two women to determine the true nature of their relationship.

Be the first to see this highly anticipated film.

Book your tickets online here.

Want to add more movie magic to your festival experience?

Make the most of film festival season in Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, London’s home of film and entertainment.

Discover our Scenes in the Square installations offering you the chance to scour the roof tops for DC’s Batman and Wonder Woman, burst into song with musical stars Mary Poppins and Gene Kelly, or budge up on a bench next to Paddington Bear, Mr Bean and more.

Plus, immerse yourself in movies with the all-new audio walking tour of Scenes in the Square for the ultimate socially-distanced escapade, narrated by TV’s Alex Zane.

What’s more, discover the ultimate film-fan’s frenzy with a bite to eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp, inspired by the film Forest Gump, explore iconic music memorabilia at Hard Rock Cafe Piccadilly Circus or refuel at a fine-dining restaurant with the likes of The Ritz London, 45 Jermyn Street, or Franco’s Restaurant only seconds away from Piccadilly Circus.

Whatever you decide, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, London’s home of film and entertainment.

What’s new for the LFF 2020 edition?

In response to social distancing restrictions the festival is commissioning a bespoke, dynamic new exhibition virtual space The Expanse.

Built by VR firm INVR.SPACE, The Expanse will feature a virtual gallery to access the projects and a virtual theatre, offering a line-up of live talks and events throughout the festival. Plus, The Expanse will house the all-new LFF Expanded programme. Keep scrolling to learn more about this.

Accessible using Oculus Quest headsets, the festival will make a number of headsets available at the BFI Southbank venue for those without the technology at home. There will also be a 2D browser version of the platform, which will feature the theatre events.

What’s the LFF Expanded programme?

This year, immerse yourself in movies with the all-new London Film Festival (LFF) Expanded.

Offering a dedicated strand of XR and immersive art, LFF Expanded will be open at BFI Southbank venue’s virtual exhibition space (The Expanded) throughout the BFI London Film Festival.

Filled with Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality and live performances, creators from around the world are ensuring audiences are not just in front of their film, art or performance, but right in the heart of it.

See the LFF Expanded programme.

ALL KINDS OF LIMBO

As part of the LFF Expanded programme this year, the National Theatre will present a new cutting-edge version of their VR immersive experience All Kinds of Limbo to audiences at BFI Southbank and international audiences virtually for the first time.

Running from 7-18 October 2020, the dazzling VR experience spotlights the acclaimed jazz-singer Nubiya Brandon, with original music by Raffy Bushman and the NuShape orchestra.

Prepare to embark on a musical journey through different styles and genres, from Reggae and Grime to Classical and Calypso, reflecting the historic influence of West Indian and black culture on the UK music scene.

The VR experience, inspired by National Theatre director Rufus Norris’ production of Small Island, uses immersive technologies and a life-size volumetrically captured performance to take audiences on a unique musical journey.

Discover more about All Kinds of Limbo.