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70th BFI London Film Festival (LFF)

October 7 - October 18
BFI London Film Festival

The 70th BFI London Film Festival (LFF)

The 70th BFI London Film Festival (LFF), presented by the British Film Institute in partnership with American Express, is scheduled to take place in October 2026. The festival will showcase an exciting range of films and storytelling experiences across London and the UK.

About the Festival

Organized by the British Film Institute, the LFF is the UK’s largest public film event, screening hundreds of features, documentaries, and short films from around the world. The festival celebrates creativity, originality, vision, and imagination, presenting outstanding contemporary international cinema from both established and emerging filmmakers.

Held each autumn, the festival brings together high-profile awards contenders, newly restored archive titles, and bold new discoveries. It combines strong curatorial vision with red-carpet premieres while offering an extensive programme of industry events, public forums, education events, lectures, masterclasses, and Q&As with filmmakers and film talent.

The festival runs for approximately 12 days, with films screened across BFI Southbank, central London venues, and online via BFI Player where applicable.

Awards

The festival recognises excellence through several prestigious awards:

  • Best Film Award (sponsored by American Express)
  • Grierson Award for Best Documentary
  • Sutherland Award for Best First Feature Film
  • Short Film Award

All films selected for the festival are automatically considered for the awards for which they are eligible.

Submission Deadlines & Fees

Final Deadline (UK & Ireland Films)

Friday 22 May 2026 — 17:00 BST
(Deadlines are strictly based on British Summer Time.

Submission Fees

Feature Films (UK & Ireland – over 36 mins):

  • Early Bird (by 25 March 2026): £36
  • Regular (25 March – 6 May 2026): £47
  • Late (6 May – 22 May 2026): £82

Short Films (UK & Ireland – 35 mins or less):

  • Early Bird (by 25 March 2026): £19
  • Regular (25 March – 6 May 2026): £26
  • Late (6 May – 22 May 2026): £47
  • Please note:
  • The festival is currently accepting UK & Ireland productions only through open submissions.
  • International open submissions are not currently accepted, though filmmakers from underrepresented regions may contact the festival directly.
  • Submission Process
  • Films must be submitted via the official online submission form and payment system.
  • A secure online screener link with password is required.
  • FilmFreeway is not used for submissions.
  • Downloadable files or email submissions are not accepted.
  • Screeners must remain active through the end of August.
  • Premiere Requirements
  • Feature Films
  • Must be UK premieres.
  • Prior public screenings, online release, TV broadcasts, or UK festival screenings make films ineligible.
  • Preference is given to World, International, or European premieres in competition sections.
  • Short Films
  • No premiere requirement.
  • Shorts may have screened publicly anywhere in the world and remain eligible.
  • UK, European, and World premieres are prioritised for the Short Film Competition.
  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Feature and short films must have been produced within 12 months prior to the festival start date.
  • Films that screened before the previous edition of the festival may be ineligible.
  • Only UK and Irish productions are eligible for open submission.
  • Non-English language films must include English subtitles.
  • Festival Experience
  • The LFF offers a hybrid festival experience, with screenings and events taking place in cinemas across London and, where applicable, online through BFI Player.
  • The programme typically includes:

  • Opening and Closing Night Galas

  • Competition sections and special presentations

  • Thematic strands and curated programmes

  • Restored classics and archive cinema

  • Industry networking events, panels, and masterclasses

  • The festival also welcomes accredited national and international press, distributors, and film buyers, making it a key industry event as well as a public celebration of cinema.
  • Official Selection & Delivery
  • Programming decisions are made by the Artistic Director and programming team.
  • Selected films must supply a fully compliant DCP.
  • The festival may assist with DCP creation at additional cost if needed.
  • Exhibition materials are insured by the festival while in its possession.
  • Submission fees are non-refundable, and no feedback is provided for non-selected films.

Details

Venue

  • Various venues