The 69th BFI London Film Festival concluded this weekend with record-breaking momentum, attracting global talent and a new wave of film enthusiasts.
The 69th London Film Festival, hosted by the British Film Institute (BFI), has ended, and those involved believe it was as successful as ever. Over the two weeks, 247 titles were featured, with 79 countries being represented.
Highlights included the premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos’ film Bugonia, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, both of whom are in award conversations. Another was Palestinian docu-drama, The Voice of Hind Rajab, which broke the record for longest standing ovation (23 minutes) at the Venice Film Festival earlier this year.
While attendance numbers are still being calculated, it is looking like another record-breaking year. The 68th film festival last year had the highest attendance in a decade, numbers reaching 230,342, an 18% increase from the previous year.
An incredible range of films and filmmakers is a factor in this, but social media has also helped a new generation visit the film festival and celebrate the stories that are being told.
Film content creators are a niche within the online space, some opting for a ‘Solo Cinema Trip’, others compiling lists of ‘Thought Daughter Films’ and ‘Formula 1 Drivers As Films’.
These videos have expanded what film can be and who can be in the film space. Film festivals were once considered an exclusive place, reserved only for the top creators and established journalists.
However, since social media creators have spotlighted the BFI and LFF, a variety of new visitors have attended, many of whom represent the next generation of filmmakers
Harley Berry is a film student and a regular visitor to the BFI. She has been to premieres and galas at the London Film Festival and also attended the Venice Film Festival over the summer, where she secured student passes.
When discussing the LFF, she highlighted “how diverse the age range has become due to the accessibility the BFI provides.” They encourage students to reach out for press passes and have Under-25s tickets at the lowest price point, just £6.
She told us she loves Film Festival Season, and that the best part is “that it is so long, so it gives you lots of opportunities to visit.” In terms of film creators, we asked if she has seen an increase at film festivals due to their influence: “I follow a lot of film creators, not all are British [so they can’t always visit themselves], but they definitely inspired me to look into LFF.”
Creator Joseph Clarke, who has just under 10,000 followers on TikTok, created a series of videos focused on the London Film Festival and the different films that were being showcased.
He already has a series titled ‘Solo Cinema Trips’, where he encourages viewers to visit the cinema even if they are alone. He has also been an advocate for accessible ticket prices, creating a ‘London Cinema Guide’ for the best screens in the capital.
When focusing on BFI screenings, he highlighted a variety of films (not only the glamorous premieres and galas) but also the smaller films that were being shown.
Like Harley, I looked into the LFF last year, after seeing different creators highlighting the screenings and premieres. This year I was able to attend the premiere of The History of Sound by South African director Oliver Hermanus.
As I arrived at the Southbank Centre, I walked the ‘Watchers Red Carpet’ and caught a glimpse of the film’s stars, Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. Pre-film, the auditorium had a buzzy atmosphere.
For me, it wasn’t only the cast and crew I was spotting, but also film content creators. It was exciting to see the people who were using their influence for good and encouraging others to experience these events.
Speaking with some of the guests of the premiere gave us an idea of how important the BFI is to them: “The BFI is something I discovered through my boyfriend,” one woman explained. “He is a film fanatic and was always at these fancy screenings. Eventually, I came along to one and realised what the hype was about.
“They are so fun and so easy to get involved in, [her boyfriend] is a BFI member, so does get early access to a lot, but I queued at the BFI box office and bought tickets to what I wanted to see, and I loved it,” she told us.
“I love that the film festival has screenings all around London. I saw one at the Prince Charles Cinema, the BFI, and here at the Southbank. Cinemas are so important, so it’s always great seeing so many people in one room, even if Paul Mescal is a partial factor.”
As the film industry changes and home viewing threatens to take away these spaces and accessibility, it is positive to see creators and institutions like the BFI champion cinema for all.
Featured image by Evie Allen-Jones.