Hotels near BFI London Film Festival

The BFI London Film Festival is the UK's biggest film festival, and its 70th edition runs from 7 to 18 October 2026 with 251 films from 88 countries, including 33 world premieres. Screenings take place at BFI Southbank, the Royal Festival Hall and other venues across London, with gala premieres and talks with directors and actors throughout the twelve days.

Unlike Cannes or Venice, almost the entire programme is open to the public, with tickets from about £10, or less for under-26s. General sale opened on 17 September, and the opening and closing galas sold out within days, but further batches of tickets are released during the festival and returns appear regularly on the BFI website.

The South Bank around BFI Southbank makes an easy evening, with the secondhand book market under Waterloo Bridge and riverside bars facing the Thames.

Pro Tip: Target weekday afternoon screenings of international titles, which are easier to get and cheaper than evening galas, and check the website each morning for returned tickets.