WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

Established in 1933, the London Film Festival (LFF) is one of the many activities of the British Film Institute (BFI). It promotes an understanding and appreciation of Britain’s rich film and television heritage and culture. Europe’s largest public film event, the festival runs for two weeks every autumn and showcases the best in contemporary cinema from around the world at venues across London. It actively seeks out diversity, believing that all people have a desire, indeed a right, to see their stories onscreen.

This year, the festival will showcase 243 features from 67 countries across 12 days.

WATCH OUT FOR!

Breathe Director Andy Serkis opens the festival with Breathe, which is an inspirational love story about two indomitable people who defy the odds and pave the way for change.

Beyond The Clouds Set in the slums of Mumbai, director Majid Majidi delivers a powerful coming-of-age tale about a brother trying to save his jailed sister. The risk-taking Iranian director is best known for his Oscar-nominated Children of Heaven, and he moves to Mumbai for this stunning feature. Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) provides a richly nuanced score.

INDIAN CONNECT

The Brawler

A young and talented Indian boxer dreams of being a champion but is knocked sideways when he falls for the niece of the man blocking his road to success. The acclaimed director of Gangs of Wasseypur , Anurag Kashyap delivers another knockout with his new feature.

Shiraz: A Romance Of India

This epic silent film is a ravishing, romantic tale of the story behind one of the world’s most iconic structures: the Taj Mahal. Shiraz is based on the story of the 17th century Mughal ruler Shah Jahan, his queen and the building of the world’s most beautiful monument to love, the Taj Mahal. Shot entirely on location in India.

HEADLINE GALA

• Journey’s End
• Mudbound
• Downsizing
• Battle Of The Sexes
• Last Flag Flying
• Call Me By Your Name
• Breathe
• The Shape Of Water
• The Killing Of A Sacred Deer
• You Were Never Really Here

STRAND GALA:

• Wonderstruck
• On Chesil Beach
• Foxtrot
• Thelma
• The Meyerowitz Stories
• Redoubtable
• Blade Of The Immortal
• The Florida Project
• Dark River
• Amant Doble
• Shiraz: A Romance Of India
• The Big Bad Fox And Other Tales

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:

• The Party
• Zama
• A Fantastic Woman
• The Final Year
• Happy End
• Mindhunter
• Looking For Oum Kulthum

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION:

• Makala
• Jane
• Tender
• Bobbi Jene
• Distant Constellation
• Kingdom Of Us
• Gray House
• Before Summer Ends
• The Dead Nation
• Stray Dog

CLOSING GALA

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Martin McDonagh’s follow-up to Seven Psychopaths is a characteristically pitch-black comedic drama featuring a blistering central performance from Frances McDormand.