BFI London Film Festival 2025
Monday the 13th
Frankenstein
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
Week two at the festival this year saw the return of a major modern Hollywood figure to the LFF when visionary Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro brought along his stars Felix Kammerer, Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth, Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi for the gala UK premiere of his take on Mary Shelley’s legendary Promethean parable ‘Frankenstein’.
A stylish and singular del Toro take on the classic gothic sci-fi horror/thriller tale of a brilliant and ambitious but troubled and egotistical 18th century Swiss scientist, who goes too far in his obsession with playing God by creating life and defying death, destroying his own life and those around him with his fearsome but tragic creation. ‘Frankenstein’ is out in selected cinemas now, and streams on Netflix from the 7th of November, you can check out our review here.
Frankenstein at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
The Mastermind
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
Monday’s second big gala screening was a US period cinema affair which brought American writer/director Kelly Reichardt back to the LFF accompanied by her stars Josh O’Connor and Eli Gelb for the UK premiere of her characterful 1970s crime dramedy ‘The Mastermind’.
A reflection of family and a country reeling from the Vietnam war set in the American Northeast of the 1970s, where a socially oblivious down-on-his-luck unemployed carpenter family man with bad ideas turns to art theft when he steals valuable paintings from a local museum, only to find that keeping and selling his loot will prove harder than taking it when his life is turned upside down and he goes on the run. ‘The Mastermind’ is out now in the US and on the 24th of October in UK cinemas.
The Mastermind at the LFF (courtesy of HeyUGuys)
Rose of Nevada
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The LFF official competition also saw some action of the homegrown variety on Monday when British writer/director Mark Jenkin returned to the festival for the UK premiere of his high seas time-travelling mystery ‘Rose of Nevada’. An inventive exploration of time and loss set in coastal Cornwall where a lost ship from three decades earlier mysteriously reappears in a local harbour, prompting a couple of fishermen to take it out on a new expedition only to be inexplicably transported back in time to the boat and the town’s glory days thirty years back. Jenkin was joined by his stars Francis Magee, Adrian Rawlins, Edward Rowe, Mary Woodvine, Yana Emily Penrose and George MacKay, ‘Rose of Nevada’ has no confirmed dates yet.
Rose of Nevada at the LFF (courtesy of The Upcoming)
Black Rabbit, White Rabbit
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
Monday’s second official competition screening gave LFF audiences a rare look at Tajikistani cinema when Iranian writer/director Shahram Mokri brought along his stars Babak Karimi, Hasti Mohammaï and Kibriyo Dilyobova for the world premiere of his inventive interwoven mystery ‘Black Rabbit, White Rabbit’. A playful, sometimes surreal and often enigmatic cinematic tapestry which connects three unlikely stories together; the tale of a movie prop master who suspects that one of the fake firearms to be used may be the real thing, an actress demanding an audition and determined to get the role, and car crash casualty who suspects her misfortune was not an accident . . . but perhaps a conspiracy which links these strangers together. ‘Black Rabbit, White Rabbit’ has no confirmed dates yet.
Black Rabbit, White Rabbit trailer (courtesy of BFI)
Tuesday the 14th
Is This Thing On?
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
Tuesday this year brought a major Hollywood star back to the festival in full fledged filmmaker mode, when writer/director/actor/producer Bradley Cooper graced the LFF red carpet alongside his stars Andra Day, Laura Dern and Will Arnett for the gala UK premiere of his life-affirming mid-life comedy-drama ‘Is This Thing On?’.
A charming and characterful American family dramedy based on the real life experiences of British comedian John Bishop, it follows the fortunes of a white collar New York family man slipping into a mid-life crisis as his marriage falls apart, whose life takes a turn when he signs up for an open mic night at a comedy club only to discover a new calling, and navigates an evolving relationship with his ex-wife as they figure out co-parenting and the possibilities of middle age. ‘Is This Thing On?’ is out on the 19th of December in the US, and on the 30th of January 2026 in UK cinemas.
Is This Thing On? at the LFF (courtesy of AP)
Roofman
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The second big gala screening of the day was another American cinema affair of the true crime variety which brought writer/director Derek Cianfrance back to the LFF, accompanied by his stars Ben Mendelsohn, Kirsten Dunst, Channing Tatum and Kennedy Moyer for the UK premiere and last minute promotion for their quirky comedy/drama portrait of an idiosyncratic real life criminal ‘Roofman’.
A Hollywood take on the true story of Jeffrey Manchester; a polite and resourceful robber who escapes prison and goes on the run after a spree of McDonald’s heists, making a North Carolina Toys “R” Us his unlikely temporary hideout while he plans his next move, only for his new double life to unravel when he falls for a local single mom. ‘Roofman’ is out now in UK and US cinemas.
Roofman at the LFF (courtesy of Paramount)
The Secret Agent (The Secret Agent)
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The pick of the day’s other screenings came in the ‘Thrill’ strand and brought both Brazilian cinema and writer/director Kleber Mendonça Filho back to the LFF, flanked by his star Wagner Moura plus producers Fred Burle and Emilie Lesclaux for the UK premiere of his vibrant dissident drama and pulsating political thriller portrait of 1970s Brazil ‘The Secret Agent’.
Set in Brazil under military rule in the late 1970s where a former scientific researcher turned agitator with a difficult recent past is on the run, returning to his home town in Pernambuco state during Carnaval season to tie up loose ends and try to secure his future whilst seeking refuge, only to find that home may not provide the peace and security he seeks when the past catches up and puts him in the crosshairs of a corrupt and bureaucratic system. ‘The Secret Agent’ is out on the 26th of November in the US, and on the 20th of February 2026 in UK cinemas. You can see our review here.
The Secret Agent trailer (courtesy of MUBI)
Anemone
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The best of Tuesday’s rest was a homegrown affair in the ‘Dare’ strand of screenings which saw a feature directorial debut for young British writer/director Ronan Day-Lewis who in turn brought back of one of the greatest actors ever and also his dad and co-writer, as the great Daniel Day-Lewis returned to the screen after his latest retirement spell alongside his co-stars Sean Bean and Samantha Morton for the UK premiere of their family drama meditation on generational trauma and male familial bonds ‘Anemone’.
A moody modern British drama revolving around a pair of estranged middle-aged brothers who reunite in isolated rural Northern England and come together to confront the ghosts of the past and scars from serving their country, and the trauma that pulled them apart sending one of them into isolation for decades, trying to stop a cycle of trauma from ensnaring the next generation of their family. ‘Anemone’ is out now in the US, and on the 7th of November in the UK.
Anemone at the LFF (courtesy of ODE)
Wednesday the 15th
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The second Wednesday the festival this year culminated in an American cinema big gala screening which brought writer/director Scott Cooper and Rock ‘n’ Roll royalty back to the LFF for his 1980’s portrait of a music legend in existential flux and the cusp of global superstardom ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’.
A music biopic character drama study of New Jersey’s favourite son Bruce Springsteen, struggling with his own success and reconciling his past with his status as a revered music star in 1982, as he pivots away from record company expectations and making ‘Born in the USA’ with the E Street Band plus impending global rock superstardom to recording the very personal ‘Nebraska’ folk album in his own bedroom. Cooper was joined on the red carpet by his subject “The Boss” himself plus the film’s stars Odessa Young, Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong and Stephen Graham, ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’ is out in cinemas on the 24th of October.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere at the LFF (courtesy of TheMovieReport)
No Other Choice (Eojjeolsuga Eobsda)
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The second big gala screening of day was a Korean cinema affair which brought the godfather of modern South Korean cinema Park Chan-wook back to the LFF, accompanied by his star Lee Byung-hun for the UK premiere of his quirky black comedy ‘No Other Choice’.
A gripping and droll dark comedy crime thriller revolving around a down-on-his-luck middle age family man and paper mill worker, whose desperation to find work after long term unemployment leads him to a crazy scheme to secure an new job—ruthlessly getting rid of the competition by any means necessary—only for his best laid plans to to go off the rails and put his family at risk. ‘No Other Choice’ is out now in South Korea, with no confirmed UK or US dates yet.
No Other Choice at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
Dreams
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The pick of Wednesday’s other films was a Mexican-American production which came in the ‘Dare’ strand of screenings and brought celebrated Mexican writer/director and LFF regular Michel Franco back to the festival for the UK premiere of his tense artistic romantic drama ‘Dreams’. A sobering sexually-charged study of privilege and philanthropy centred on a wealthy American woman who funds a Mexican dance school from afar, whilst maintaining a tense and risky romantic relationship with one of its young dancers, which becomes further complicated and more dangerous when he crosses the border and shows up at her door. ‘Dreams’ has no confirmed UK or US release dates yet.
Dreams trailer (courtesy of Cinemex)
A Useful Ghost (Pee Chai Dai Ka)
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
Wednesday also brought one of the more quirky and surreal additions to this year’s festival as well as giving the LFF faithful a relatively rare look at Thai cinema, as the ‘First Feature Competition’ brought debutant director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke to the festival for the UK premiere of his madcap and idiosyncratic horror-comedy ‘A Useful Ghost’. The tale of the recently deceased wife of a factory boss, who returns from the dead in the unlikeliest of forms—an intrepid and irrepressible vacuum cleaner—intent on haunting the employees and former family members who wronged her in ever increasingly gruesome and creative ways. ‘A Useful Ghost’ has no confirmed UK or US dates.
A Useful Ghost trailer (courtesy of BFI)
Thursday the 16th
Rental Family
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The biggest event on Thursday was the ‘American Express Gala’ screening which brought a blend of Japanese and American cinema to the LFF courtesy of Japanese writer/director Hikari, who brought along her stars Mari Yamamoto, Akira Emoto, Shannon Gorman, Brendan Fraser and Takehiro Hira for the UK premiere of her character drama study of loneliness and human connection and cinematic take on a unique Japanese cultural practice ‘Rental Family’.
The touching comedy/drama story of a struggling American actor in Tokyo in the midst of a professional and existential crisis, who unexpectedly finds new purpose when he’s recruited by a “rental family” service, hired to play stand-in roles in social situations for clients looking for absent loved ones, as he develops personal connections and finds the joy he was longing for only for things to take a turn when he goes a little too deep into his roles and the lines between acting and reality become blurred. ‘Rental Family’ is out on the 21st of November in the US, and on the 9th of January 2026 in UK cinemas.
Rental Family at the LFF (courtesy of The Sun Showbiz)
Blue Moon
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The second big gala screening of the day was a characterful biographical American period comedy-drama affair which brought celebrated director Richard Linklater back to the LFF flanked by his stars Giles Surridge, Patrick Kennedy, Andrew Scott and Ethan Hawke plus producer John Sloss for the UK premiere of their quirky underdog portrait of a forgotten American songwriting great ‘Blue Moon’.
A melodic, fast-talkin’ character dramedy chamber piece revolving around respected but declining New York lyricist Lorenz Hart, who battles with his self confidence in an uncomfortable opening night for his former writing partner Richard Rodgers and his new partner Oscar Hammerstein II’s soon-to-be Broadway smash hit ‘Oklahoma!’, whilst allowing himself some hope for love, albeit unrequited with the young woman of his dreams. ‘Blue Moon’ is out on the 24th of October in the US, and on the 28th of November in UK cinemas.
Blue Moon at the LFF (courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing UK)
The Chronology of Water
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The pick of the day’s other screenings came in the ‘Dare’ strand and was an American true story affair which brought an anticipated directorial debut to the LFF, as American screen star turned writer/director Kristen Stewart brought her stars Esme Allen, Esmé Creed-Miles, Imogen Poots, Anna Wittowsky and Earl Cave for the UK premiere of their adaptation of the Lidia Yuknavitch memoir ‘The Chronology of Water’.
A biographical tale of overcoming trauma and struggle centred on a young San Francisco woman who escapes an abusive home to chase the dream of being a competitive swimmer only to lose her college scholarship and dash her Olympic hopes through self-destruction, but then find new meaning and a clear life path through the arts and the world of literature to become a successful author/academic and family woman. ‘The Chronology of Water’ has no confirmed dates yet.
The Chronology of Water at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
The Souffleur
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
Thursday’s proceedings also threw up some rather interesting fare in the ‘Love’ strand of screenings and brought a multi-lingual Hispano-Germanic flavour when Argentinian writer/director Gastón Solnicki brought his star Willem Dafoe the UK premiere of his Austrian hotelier clash-of-wills drama ‘The Souffleur’. A slightly surreal contemporary dark comedy character drama set in a swanky but declining Vienna hotel, recently sold to an unscrupulous Argentine developer with plans to demolish and re-develop it, only to incur the wrath of its dedicated American hotel manager who is determined to fight his plans to the bitter end, a clash which soon begins to affect every aspect of the hotel’s operation—including its world famous soufflé recipe. ‘The Souffleur’ has no confirmed dates yet.
The Souffleur trailer (courtesy of MAGNIFY)
Friday the 17th
Die My Love
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The final Friday at the LFF this year brought a welcome yet once again overdue return to the director’s chair and the festival for Scottish writer/director Lynne Ramsay, armed with her latest bold and unflinching cinematic look at the fractured human psyche as she gathered her star Jennifer Lawrence for the gala UK premiere of her striking portrait of post-partum psychosis ‘Die My Love’.
A tense, dark and darkly comic American domestic drama centred on a wife and new mom in the remote countryside, whose seemingly idyllic life begins to fall apart when her behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and her sanity slips, as she fights to manage contradictory thoughts of freedom and entrapment, motherhood and womanhood in the midst of an identity crisis, while her frustrated husband and the people around her struggle to hold things together before they can lead to tragedy. ‘Die My Love’ is out on the 7th of November in the UK and US, you can check out our review here.
Die My Love at the LFF (courtesy of AP)
Christy
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The second big gala screening of the day was an American biographical affair which brought some welcome sport cinema to the LFF, as Aussie writer/director David Michôd retuned to the festival flanked by his stars Sydney Sweeney and Ben Foster plus screenwriter/producer Mirrah Foulkes and producer Kerry Kohansky-Roberts for the UK premiere of their Christy Martin boxing biopic portrait of determination and resilience ‘Christy’.
The true story tale of legendary tough American fighter and 90s boxing pioneer Martin, chronicling her meteoric rise through the nascent female boxing ranks as she helps to raise the profile of the sport, whilst facing an even bigger battle outside the ring as she struggles to reconcile her ambitions and her sexuality with a toxic marriage of convenience to her abusive husband/trainer/manager, which would prove a tougher and more dangerous fight than any in the squared circle. ‘Christy’ is out on the 7th of November in the US and on the 28th of November in UK cinemas.
Christy at the LFF (courtesy of Metro)
The Ice Tower (La Tour de Glace)
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The pick of Friday’s other screenings was a French cinema affair which came in the ‘Dare’ strand and brought writer/director Lucile Hadžihalilović back to the LFF for the UK premiere of her subtly fantastical period drama tale of obsession and aspiration ‘The Ice Tower’. A 1970’s-set French character drama centred on an escapee teenage orphan who finds an unlikely but hypnotic belonging on the set of fantasy film ‘The Snow Queen’ and the folks making it, only to become obsessed with the mesmerising actress playing the titular lead, who proves as beguiling and mysterious as the character she’s playing. ‘The Ice Tower’ is out in the US now and in the UK on the 21st of November.
The Ice Tower trailer (courtesy of Yellow Veil Pictures)
Palestine 36
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The ‘Journey’ strand of screenings also saw some action on Friday and brought some historical cinema with distinctly prescient echoes when Palestinian writer/director Annemarie Jacir brought along her stars Yasmine Al Massri, Karim Daoud Anaya, Mo’min Swaitat, Saleh Bakri, Billy Howle, Jeremy Irons and Dhafer L’Abidine for the UK premiere of their dramatisation of the events leading to the 1936–1939 Palestinian Arab revolt ‘Palestine 36’.
Set in Palestine of 1936 where a young local becomes caught between Jerusalem and his country home when a rural uprising begins against strict British colonial rule, while the repatriation influx of European Jews pours fire on increasing tensions in a region destined to be troubled in perpetuity, and on an empire in decline. ‘Palestine 36’ is out on the 31st of October in the UK.
Palestine 36 trailer (courtesy of Curzon)
Saturday the 18th
Nouvelle Vague
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
An eventful penultimate day on Saturday marked a particularly busy festival this year for Richard Linklater as the American director walked the LFF red carpet for his second big gala screening in a week, this time in full French cinema mode for the UK premiere of his tribute to Jean-Luc Godard and cinephilic love letter to the French New Wave and revolutionary filmmaking ‘Nouvelle Vague’.
A biographical period dramedy told in the style and with the irreverent spirit of its subject, set in the late 1950s and chronicling Godard and his contemporaries’ struggles in making a seminal independent picture and hugely influential pillar of the revolutionary French New Wave of cinema—1960’s ‘Breathless’. ‘Nouvelle Vague’ streams on Netflix from the 14th of November and is out in UK cinemas on the 26th of January 2026, you can see our review here.
Nouvelle Vague at the LFF (courtesy of BFI)
The History of Sound
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
Saturday’s second big gala screening brought a multi-national production of an American period piece helmed by a South African, as director Oliver Hermanus returned to the LFF flanked by his stars Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal among others for the UK premiere of their sonic portrait of trauma, memory and longing ‘The History of Sound’.
An early 20th century tale of loss and connection centred on two young aspiring American musicians and music conservationists who form a deep and romantic bond, only to be separated by World War I and the complexities of maturing lives which send them on two diverging paths, but never diminishes a unique connection which is rekindled by their quest to record the music of their country. ‘The History of Sound’ is out now in the US and on the 23rd of January 2026 in the UK.
The History of Sound at the LFF (courtesy of ODE)
Pillion
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The third big gala screening of the day was a homegrown affair which also signalled a feature debut when British writer/director Harry Lighton brought along his stars Harry Melling and Alexander Skarsgård among others for the premiere of his provocative yet charming leather-clad LGBTQ+ romantic dramedy ‘Pillion’. A contemporary character drama revolving around a quiet humble young gay man whose relationship with his supportive parents is turned upside down when he becomes enamoured by a big manly biker, and becomes his submissive in a sub-dom relationship, entering a whole new world of possibilities and risks while pushing his boundaries and finding and a new definition of love. ‘Pillion’ is out on the 28th of November in UK cinemas.
Pillion at the LFF (courtesy of HeyUGuys)
Father Mother Sister Brother
Image Source: MUBI
The pick of Saturday’s other films came in the ‘Love’ strand of screenings and brought an indie film legend back to LFF, in spirit anyway, as celebrated American writer/director Jim Jarmusch brought the UK premiere of his anthology style dramedy meditation on family dysfunction ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’. A quirky and touching ensemble series of interlinked stories about disparate characters and estranged families who reunite to try and re-connect, all woven together with the thread of emotional distance and familial resentment but also hope for reconciliation all brought together by love . . . and a bit of awkwardness. ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’ is out on the 25th of December in the US, with no UK date yet.
Father Mother Sister Brother trailer (courtesy of MUBI)
Sunday the 19th
100 Nights of Hero
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The final day at this year’s London Film Festival featured the customary light screening schedule culminating in the big Closing Night Gala which proved a homegrown fairytale affair, as British writer/director Julia Jackman returned to the LFF and walked the blue carpet flanked by her stars Richard E. Grant, Felicity Jones, Emma Corrin, Maika Monroe and Amir El-Masry for the UK premiere of her costume drama graphic novel adaptation ‘100 Nights of Hero’.
A fantasy romance adapted from novelist/illustrator Isabel Greenberg’s 2016 graphic novel—itself inspired by Middle Eastern folktale ‘One Thousand and One Nights’—told as a rebellious and satirical fairytale centred in a fictional kingdom, where a young couple’s union unravels when they fail to conceive an heir and defy social expectations, while a spirited maid is determined to protect her mistress from the dastardly plans of a dashing suitor, telling tales of heroic women who rebel against the grain which inspires the women to make life-changing decisions. ‘100 Nights of Hero’ has no confirmed dates yet.
100 Nights of Hero trailer (courtesy of The Sun Showbiz)
La Grazia
Image Source: Getty Images BFI
The other screening of the day was an Italian cinema affair which came in the ‘Journey’ strand and saw celebrated Neapolitan writer/director Paolo Sorrentino reunite with his muse Toni Servillo, who represented his director at the LFF alongside producers Andrea Scrosati and Annamaria Morelli for the UK premiere of his latest stylish and moody Italian character portrait ‘La Grazia’.
A gripping character drama study of power and legacy, focused on a fictional Italian president at the end of his term in office still mourning the loss of his wife in the splendour of the presidential palace, stuck in somewhat of a moral quandary and pulled into an existential crisis when forced to face the uncomfortable realities of his past while trying to grapple with ethically challenging legislation. ‘La Grazia’ is out on the 5th of December in the US, with no UK date yet.
La Grazia trailer (courtesy of MUBI)
Awards
This year’s LFF’s awards—something which unlike other festivals has always been a small part of the overall event—saw Lucrecia Martel’s ‘Landmarks’ take the official competition’s ‘Best Film’ award. You can check out all the winners below.
The 69th BFI London Film Festival 2025 LFF Award Winners
Official Competition (Best Film):
‘Landmarks’ by Lucrecia Martel
Documentary Competition (Grierson Award):
‘The Travellers’ by David Bingong
First Feature Competition (Sutherland Award):
‘One Woman One Bra’ by Vincho Nchogu
Short Film Competition (Short Film Award):
‘Coyotes’ by Said Zagha
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