Official Competition Films Announced for 68th BFI London Film Festival in UK
The 68th BFI London Film Festival, held in the United Kingdom in partnership with American Express, has unveiled the films competing in its prestigious Official Competition. This year’s lineup includes 11 films representing 13 countries, showcasing a diverse range of cinematic styles and themes from around the world. The festival, running from 9 to 20 October 2024, continues its tradition of celebrating the best in global filmmaking.
The films in the Official Competition range from an intense Irish exploration of generational rivalry to a poignant Japanese portrayal of life with deaf parents. Notable entries include "April," a France-Georgia-Italy co-production directed by Dea Kulumbegashvili, and "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl," a Zambia-UK-Ireland collaboration directed by Rungano Nyoni. These films, along with nine others, will compete for the coveted Best Film Award, with the winner announced on 20 October 2024.
The BFI Southbank will host screenings of these films, providing a central stage for the celebration of innovative cinema. The festival’s director, Kristy Matheson, expressed her excitement about the selection, stating, “We’re immensely proud to have UK and Irish works alongside films from across the globe. Boasting an enormous breadth in terms of cinematic styles, there’s a world of cinema to be enjoyed in our 2024 Official Competition.”
Since its inception in 2009, the Official Competition has recognized outstanding achievements in filmmaking, with past winners including Jacques Audiard for "A Prophet" and Ryusuke Hamaguchi for "Evil Does Not Exist," which won the Best Film Award at LFF 2023.
In addition to the Official Competition, the festival will announce the films shortlisted for other competitive categories, including the Grierson Award for Best Documentary, the Sutherland Award for Best First Feature, and the Short Film Award on 4 September 2024. The popular Audience Awards will also return, where viewers can vote for their favorite films.
The 11 films selected for the 2024 Official Competition are:
- "April" / Dea Kulumbegashvili / France-Georgia-Italy
- "Bring Them Down" / Christopher Andrews / Ireland-UK-Belgium
- "The Extraordinary Miss Flower" / Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard / UK
- "Four Mothers" / Darren Thornton / Ireland-UK
- "Living in Two Worlds" / Mipo O / Japan
- "Memoir of a Snail" / Adam Elliot / Australia
- "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl" / Rungano Nyoni / Zambia-UK-Ireland
- "Thank You for Banking With Us" / Laila Abbas / State of Palestine-Germany
- "The Wolves Always Come at Night" / Gabrielle Brady / Australia-Mongolia-Germany
- "Under the Volcano" / Damian Kocur / Poland
- "Vermiglio" / Maura Delpero / Italy-France-Belgium
The BFI London Film Festival remains a vital event in the global film calendar, offering audiences in London and beyond a chance to experience groundbreaking films from around the world. The festival's influence continues to grow, attracting filmmakers and cinephiles alike to celebrate the power and artistry of cinema.