Looking for what to watch at the 70th BFI London Film Festival (LFF)? Check out the curated selection of films, shorts and immersive productions that we’ll be watching.

For twelve days between 7 – 18 October, the BFI London Film Festival, regarded as the UK’s foremost celebration of screen culture, will showcase 251 features, shorts, series and immersive works from 88 countries. Excitingly, 109 works (43% of the programme), are from female filmmakers. There are also an impressive 33 world premieres, films showing in the UK for the first time. The productions will be showing across London and at the flagship venues at the BFI Southbank and the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, and across the UK with LFF on Tour.

Exciting highlights in this year’s lineup include Ava DuVernay’s return; Ashley Walters feature directorial debut; Mahershala Ali’s new action thriller; Boots Riley’s latest fever dream; contemporary African and diaspora stories from Nigeria, Haiti and the Central African Republic; plus some great UK talent across both features and shorts.

True film buffs won’t want to miss the special selection of Screen Talks, hosted by some of our favourite directors and actors. In particular we won’t want to miss materclasses by award-winning director, writer and producer Ava DuVernay, critically acclaimed actress, producer, singer and author Cynthia Erivo, BAFTA and two-time Oscar® winner Mahershala Ali and BIFA-award winning actress Naomi Ackie.

Read on for our specially curated selection of films at LFF 2026 that you won’t want to miss.

FEATURE FILMS

14th, dir. Ava DuVernay (USA)  

From 12 October
In 14th, DuVernay turns the spotlight on how the current US administration is systemically seeking to revoke the rights in the 14th amendment, adopted three years after the American Civil War, that gave citizenship and equal civil rights to all. “14th is a fascinating, revealing and ultimately essential investigation into the complexities of US – and global – history and politics.”

ANIMOL, dir. Ashley Walters

From 11 October
Ashley Walters’ directorial debut starring Tut Nyuot and Stephen Graham is a strikingly shot and sensitively made depiction of survival, surprise connections and redemption, set in a young offenders institute.

Having already carved out a career as one of the UK’s most talented actors, with Animol, Walters has emerged as an exciting filmmaking voice winning the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Film at Berlinale.

Clarissa, dir. Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri (USA)

From 13 October
Virginia Woolf’s beloved novel is the jumping-off point for this rich and captivating look at class and gender in contemporary Nigerian society. Arie and Chuko Esiri’s (Eyimofe, LFF 2020) sophomore feature is a delicate, sun-soaked reimagining of Mrs Dalloway, set in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria. The film follows a society woman as she prepares to host a party at her home, where she unexpectedly encounters once-intimate friends from her youth.

Congo Boy, dir. Rafiki Fariala (Central African Republic) 

From 11 October
Set in the Central African Republic, Rafiki Fariala’s melodic autobiographical feature follows a young refugee who, against all odds, chases his musical dreams. Robert, a Congolese teenager displaced by war, lives in Bangui and balances a budding rap career with raising his siblings. But political tensions in the region are never far away. Loosely based on director and co-writer Fariala’s own life, Congo Boy is a tender portrait of personal resilience and familial devotion.

I Love Boosters, dir. Boots Riley (USA)

From 9 October
Boots Riley, the writer-director behind Sorry to Bother You (LFF 2018), is back with another idiosyncratic, anti-capitalist vision, with an all-star cast including Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, LaKeith Stanfield and Demi Moore. I Love Boosters// is a wild fashion fever dream and a rally cry against the system following an aspiring fashion designer and leader of The Velvet Gang, a group of ‘boosters’ who rob clothes from fashion entrepreneur Christie Smith’s boutiques.

Misty Green, dir Chris Rock (USA)

From 12 October
Chris Rock served as Director-Screenwriter in this contemporary Hollywood drama in which a washed-up actress attempts to turn her life around over the course of a week.

Misty Green used to be a somebody. These days, she’s barely scraping by. But when an old acquaintance re-enters her life, it looks like she might finally have the chance to start afresh or not. Rosalind Eleazar is magnetic as Misty, and is joined by an all-star cast including Rock, Daniel Kaluuya and Adam Driver.

In the Shadows, dir. Anthony Wonke (UK)

From 9 October
Based on the truly inspirational story of Ramla Ali, a refugee who, without her family’s knowledge, became the first Somali British female professional Muslim boxing champion. The film stars Jasmine Jobson, who leads a brilliant ensemble in bringing the story of the champion East End boxer to the screen. It is a story of determination, passion, self-discovery and self-belief, and a coming-of-age film that champions universal themes of identity, belonging, family, love and faith.

LADY, dir. Olive Nwosu (UK/Nigeria)

From 10 October
Lady works long and lonely hours, saving up money with hopes of escaping to Freetown, in Sierra Leone. When childhood friend and sex worker Pinky asks for her help, Lady agrees but finds her life upended. The fantastic, mainly female cast shared the Special Jury Award for Acting Ensemble at this year’s Sundance. It’s easy to see why, with this character-driven film that is also a stunning portrait of a city.

Marie Madeleine, dir. Gessica Généus (France / Haiti)

From 10 October
The second feature from Haitian actor-director Gessica Généus (Freda, LFF2021) follows an unlikely friendship between a sex worker and a preacher’s son that rocks their community. She’s outspoken and protects herself with razor blades, whereas he’s near-silent, hiding secrets behind the lens of his camera. But when Joseph’s estranged father begins building a church next to the brothel where Marie works, their lives are irrevocably changed.

Once Upon a Time in Harlem 

From 10 October
In 1972, pioneering Black filmmaker William Greaves brought together artists, writers and musicians of the Harlem Renaissance at Duke Ellington’s home. David helped film the gathering and, more than 50 years later, completed the documentary his father had begun—capturing this extraordinary creative community sharing memories, stories and debate. With 2026 marking William’s centenary, David offers a fascinating conversation about jazz, Black cultural history, preserving archives and the personal experience of carrying his father’s work forward.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, dir. Daniel Oriahi (Nigeria)

From 14 October
Daniel Oriahi’s wonderful adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s acclaimed novel is an engrossing exploration of sexual politics, power and survival in present-day Nigeria. Patriarch Baba Segi oversees a household with his three wives and their children, in a seemingly harmonious polyamorous arrangement.

Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, dir. Bassam Tariq (USA)

From 17 October
Writer-director Bassam Tariq (Mogul Mowgli, LFF 2020) returns with this terrific, inventive action thriller, featuring a commanding central performance by Oscar winner Mahershala Ali as an assassin and father of three whose life is turned upside down when his wife dies. Both stylish and exhilarating, amid all the mayhem Tariq’s thriller successfully offers a tender portrait of grief and fatherhood, and is a testament to maintaining one’s faith.

SHORTS

How To Hide It, dir. Ramla Ali, Richard A. Moore (UK)

‘How To Hide It’ follows Zahra Ahmed, a 26-year-old British-Sudanese woman who, after winning the lottery, faces tension between dreams of a better life and her deeply held beliefs. The film explores themes of faith versus temptation, family expectations, cultural identity, and the age-old question of whether good fortune can ever truly be separated from consequence.

Laundreams, dir. Amber Gadd, Evie Ward-Drummond (UK)

In an empty laundrette manned by 20-year-olds Minnie and Leah, nothing ever happens and nothing ever changes. The film stars Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You, The Lazarus Project).

The Animals, dir. Calvin Demba

From Director-Screenwriter Calvin Demba (Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Supacell). When Miles learns of a group that orchestrates violent attacks to make men appear heroic to their partners, he requests their help, featuring George MacKay (1917, Pride), Louisa Harland (Derry Girls, Renegade Nell), Eric Kofi Abrefa (Blue Story, The One) and Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones, Fast & Furious).

FarEye, dir. Hayden Mclean  (UK)

Fleeing the chaos of home, a young Jamaican boy finds refuge within a community guided by music, spirit and faith, awakening something deep within that will change the course of his life forever.

Hayden is a London-born British-Jamaican filmmaker and founder of Soul Rebel Productions, whose work centres Black British and Caribbean stories. His previous short The Last Dance explored London’s Caribbean community, gentrification and cultural erasure; with FarEye, he turns directly to his Jamaican heritage, shooting on the island with a predominantly Caribbean cast and crew.

Hindsight, dir. Remi R.M. Moses (UK)

When Jamal buys his first car, it’s a gateway to endless adventures and unforgettable moments with his closest friends. But as time passes and life takes them in different directions, their bond starts to fade. What once felt like freedom now feels like isolation, and Jamal is left grappling with the loneliness of growing apart.

Remi is a British-born filmmaker and London Film School graduate whose work has focused on underrepresented lives, working-class experiences and Black British stories. His previous shorts include award-winning Signs of Silence and Saving Art.

The 70th BFI London Film Festival takes place from Wednesday 7 October – Sunday 18 October 2026.

Book tickets here.