

London Film Fest Highlights World Premieres, Star-Studded Returns, and Diversity in Animation and Animal Features
Kristy Matheson is set for her second year as the director of the BFI London Film Festival (LFF), celebrating its 68th edition. With a background in programming the Edinburgh Film Festival, the Australian director and her team have curated 255 films from 80 countries. The lineup includes notable films from this year’s global festival circuit, such as Sean Baker’s *Anora*, Jacques Audiard’s *Emilia Pérez*, Pablo Larraín’s *Maria*, and Edward Berger’s *Conclave*, alongside 40 world premieres.
The festival will kick off on October 9 with Steve McQueen’s WWII drama *Blitz*, featuring Saoirse Ronan and Harris Dickinson. Other prominent premieres include *Joy*, a film about the invention of IVF, and Netflix’s animated feature *That Christmas*, featuring Brian Cox. Pharrell Williams’ LEGO biopic *Piece by Piece* will close the festival on October 20.
Matheson, who took over from Tricia Tuttle, shared insights into the festival’s curation process, noting the inclusion of new countries and the significance of star appearances.
Key Premieres and Festival Focus
LFF 2024 will showcase 255 films from 79 countries, including 16 world premieres. Highlights include McQueen’s *Blitz* and *Four Mothers*, a touching yet comedic Irish film by Darren Thornton. The lineup also features *The Extraordinary Miss Flower*, a documentary-style film by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard.
London provides a dynamic platform for films, ideal for awards preparation and audience testing. As an audience-centric event, the festival aims to appeal to diverse viewers, ensuring the selection process caters to various tastes.
Thematic Diversity: Animation and Animals
Animation stands out this year, with films for both young audiences (*That Christmas*, *The Wild Robot*) and adults, like Adam Elliot’s *Memoir of a Snail*. The Dominican Republic’s *Olivia & the Clouds* adds to the variety. Animal-themed films are also prominent, with highlights like *Pepe*, a story about a hippo once owned by Pablo Escobar. Many films explore human-animal connections, touching on environmental and philosophical themes.
Motherhood, Disability, and Representation
Motherhood is a recurring theme, represented by *Motherboard*, a UK documentary, and *Nightbitch*, starring Amy Adams. The festival also includes films featuring disabled characters without focusing solely on disability, such as *My Everything* and *Audrey*, normalizing their presence in cinema.
Speakers and Events: A Star-Studded Lineup
This year’s Screen Talks series offers intimate discussions with stars like Zoe Saldaña, Daniel Kaluuya, and Lupita Nyong’o. After the strikes last year limited star participation, the festival is thrilled to welcome back these talents.
Global Representation: Southeast Asia, Brazil, and More
Films from Indonesia (*Crocodile Tears*) and Singapore (*Stranger Eyes*) highlight Southeast Asia’s strong presence. The Dominican Republic and Brazil also have a prominent showing, with a diverse range of styles and stories.
LFF’s Thematic Strands: Attracting Audiences with Variety
The festival uses strands like Love, Debate, Laugh, and Thrill to guide audiences through the lineup, catering to different tastes and encouraging exploration. These broad categories help viewers navigate the extensive selection, offering a chance to discover new favorites.