September 1, 2023

BFI London Film Festival Line-Up Announced!

The line-up for the 2023 BFI London Film Festival has been announced and we are delighted to say that the work of society members features heavily. The American Express Gala Film will be James Hawes' One Life, the incredible story of Sir Nicholas Winton (Anthony Hopkins) who, in the months leading up to the Second World War, rescued 669 children from the Nazis. One Life is shot by society member, Zac Nicholson BSC.

Sir Anthony Hopkins in One Life, shot by Zac Nicholson BSC

The Book of Clarence will have its world-wide premiere at the London Film Festival, a down on his luck Jerusalemite embarks on a misguided attempt to capitalise on the rise of celebrity and influence the Messiah for his own personal gain. Directed by Jeyemes Samuel, the film was shot by Rob Hardy ASC BSC. BAFTA-winner Mahalia Belo will debut her feature film The End We Start From at the LFF, the film tells the story of young woman, who together with her newborn, attempt to find their way home as an environmental emergency floods London. The End We Start From was shot by Suzie Lavelle BSC ISC. Cinematographer, Robbie Ryan BSC ISC collaborates again with Yorgos Lanthimos on Poor Things, starring Oscar-winner Emma Stone as Bella Baxter, a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter.

Oscar-winner Emma Stone in Poor Things, shot by Robbie Ryan BSC ISC.

Hoard, directed by Luna Carmoon is nominated in the First Features competition. In this intense psychological drama a troubled teenager forms an obsessive bond with a mysterious young man at her foster home. The film features of the talents of Nanu Segal BSC as Cinematographer. Sally El Hosaini and James Floyd return to the LFF with Unicorns. The film stars Ben Hardy as Luke, a single father and mechanic who is forced to rethink his sexual identity when he unexpectedly falls in love with Aysha, a drag queen. The film is shot by David Raekdeker BSC. Episodes 1 and 2 of the brand-new Disney+ Heist show Culprits will be being shown at the festival. The series features the lensing of society member Philipp Blaubach BSC.

Culprits, Disney+ new heist show shot by Philipp Blaubach BSC.

The Mayor's Gala will be Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget which had society member Dave Alex Riddett BSC among its crew. Shoshana is the new film from director, Michael Winterbottom. The film follows two British police officers Thomas Wilkin and Geoffrey Morton, in their hunt for charismatic poet and Zionist freedom fighter Avraham Stern, who was plotting to evict British authorities. Shoshana was shot by Giles Nuttgens BSC. Rounding out our list of work at the festival is a special BFI restoration of the classic Michael Powell film, Peeping Tom (1960). The film was beautifully shot by Otto Heller BSC.

Pepping Tom, the 1960 classic shot by Otto Heller BSC.

Tickets for the 67th BFI London Film Festival go on sale on the 12th September with the festival running from the 4th to 15th October. Make sure to head to the cinema to see one of these amazing films!