London, UK- September 4, 2025
In a much-anticipated announcement that has film lovers buzzing, the British Film Institute has unveiled the official line-up for the 2025 London Film Festival, promising an extraordinary celebration of world cinema. The star-studded programme, which features a mix of high-profile galas, international premieres, and a new generation of directorial debuts, is set to solidify the festival’s reputation as a key destination on the global awards circuit. The festival will open on October 8 with the international premiere of a major blockbuster and will feature over 240 films and immersive projects over its twelve-day run.
The 69th edition of the BFI London Film Festival is headlined by two of the most talked-about films of the year. The festival’s opening night gala will be the international premiere of Rian Johnson’s highly-anticipated sequel, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.” The film, which sees Daniel Craig return as the quirky detective Benoit Blanc, has been a subject of intense speculation and will finally get its first international showing to kick off the festival in spectacular style. Meanwhile, the closing night gala will be the UK premiere of Julia Jackman’s historical fantasy epic, “100 Nights of Hero.” This grand finale promises to be a visual and narrative spectacle, wrapping up the festival with a film that has already garnered significant Oscar buzz.
Beyond the galas, the line-up is a treasure trove of cinematic gems. The festival will feature a strong presence from critically acclaimed directors. Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest film, “Bugonia,” will have a special screening, as will Richard Linklater’s new feature, “Nouvelle Vague.” The festival also welcomes the latest works from cinematic titans such as Guillermo del Toro, Luca Guadagnino, and Lynne Ramsay. Notably, Chloé Zhao’s highly-anticipated adaptation of the acclaimed novel, “Hamnet,” will have its European premiere, as will Noah Baumbach’s comedy-drama “Jay Kelly.”
This year’s program is also notable for the impressive number of directorial debuts from a new generation of filmmakers. Actors Bradley Cooper and Kristen Stewart will both premiere their third and first feature films, respectively, with Cooper’s standup comedy drama “Is This Thing On?” and Stewart’s “The Chronology of Water.” The festival’s commitment to new voices is further emphasized by the inclusion of 103 films directed by female or non-binary filmmakers, a testament to the festival’s ongoing mission to promote diversity and inclusion.
In addition to the films, the festival will host a series of “Screen Talks” with some of the most influential figures in cinema, including a rare appearance by actor Daniel Day-Lewis. Other notable guests for the talks will include Yorgos Lanthimos, Richard Linklater, and Jafar Panahi. The festival will also continue its popular “Expanded” program, showcasing innovative immersive works that go beyond traditional cinema, including virtual reality, AI-driven experiences, and interactive storytelling.
The sheer breadth and quality of the announced line-up have critics predicting that the 2025 London Film Festival will be a key indicator of which films will dominate the upcoming awards season. With a mix of Hollywood blockbusters, indie darlings, and bold new voices, the festival is set to offer something for every film enthusiast. The public will be able to purchase tickets from September 16, with BFI members getting priority booking starting on September 9.
Headline Points
* Full Line-Up Announced: The BFI has unveiled the full line-up for the 2025 London Film Festival, which runs from October 8 to October 19.
* Blockbuster Openers: The festival will open with Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” and close with Julia Jackman’s “100 Nights of Hero.”
* Star Directors and Debuts: The program includes new films from Yorgos Lanthimos, Guillermo del Toro, and Chloé Zhao, as well as directorial debuts from actors Bradley Cooper and Kristen Stewart.
* Focus on Diversity: Over 100 films in the lineup were directed by female or non-binary filmmakers.
* Key Events: The festival will also feature “Screen Talks” with major figures like Daniel Day-Lewis and an “Expanded” program for immersive storytelling.
