- Words Kitty Robson
The BFI’s iconic celebration of cinema returns for a 67th year this October, featuring films hailing from 92 countries by major Hollywood names and the rising stars of next generation alike.
“It’s in the spirit of sharing that we present this heartfelt cinematic mixtape to you”, BFI London Film Festival Director Kristy Matheson announced this week, as she revealed the vibrant selection of cinema set to be showcased at this year’s LFF for her inaugural year. “In a world where the next stressful encounter often feels like it’s moments away,” Kristy mused “come join us and take temporary cover under this wondrous blanket of art, and re-enter the world a little bit refreshed and excited by a new burning obsession that you can’t wait to share.”
For 12 days in October, you can escape into every world that 2023’s film industry has to offer you, from treading the boards of Broadway in Bradley Cooper’s Maestro to Emerald Fennell’s dangerously decadent Saltburn. Or take a trip to Graceland via Sofia Coppola for her long-awaited return with Priscilla, based on the memoir Elvis and Me written by Priscilla Presley and Sandra Harmon, where the masterful director captures “a humanistic portrait of a young woman growing inside a gilded cage…investigating another fascinating figure embedded within the culture psyche and in the company of a larger-than-life king.”
Martin Scorsese is back with his 26th feature Killers of the Flower Moon, a period crime thriller exploring the grand conspiracy against the Native American Osage Nation starring Lily Gladstone, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Robert De Niro. Also returning their work to the silver screen is David Fincher with The Killer, Richard Linklater’s Hit Man, Steve McQueen’s Occupied City, Todd Haynes’ May December, Jeymes Samuel with The Book of Clarence and Yorgos Lanthimos’ highly anticipated Poor Things starring Emma Stone. On top of that, Daniel Kaluuya is coming home to London Film Festival, but off screen instead of on for his debut film as a director and writer of The Kitchen, a sci-fi thriller starring the one and only Kano.
With 39% of the programme made by women and non-binary filmmakers, the festival aims to platform minoritized voices and celebrate the diversity of creative minds that make up the film industry. To make it as accessible as possible, there will also be a selection of ‘LFF for Free’ events at BFI Southbank, as well as immersive storytelling around London and free short films available to watch on BFI Player wherever you are in the UK.
Press play below to watch the trailer for BFI’s London Film Festival, taking place from 4th-15th October 2023. For more information and to buy tickets click here.