All of a Sudden
Sally’s third place
At 197 minutes, Ryusuke Hamaguchi's All of a Sudden asks for a considerable investment of time, but I was absorbed from beginning to end. It follows the growing friendship between care home manager Marie-Lou and Mari, a Japanese theatre director living with cancer. Having family experience of both cancer and dementia, I found the sensitivity of its approach particularly moving, and I loved how it allowed room for complicated feelings without trying to neatly resolve them. Several beautifully written and performed monologues were highlights for me, and by the end, I felt I'd been on a meaningful journey with these characters.
Prima Facie
Madi’s third place
Susanna White's Prima Facie brings Suzie Miller's award-winning play to the big screen. It follows Tessa, a brilliant defence lawyer whose view of the legal system is turned upside down. The film deals with a very sensitive subject, and what impressed me most was how subtly it was written and told. Rather than leaning into the drama, it moves with grace, focusing on the ripple effect of what happens. That let me witness the knock-on effects and really empathise with Tessa throughout. Cynthia Erivo is incredible in the lead role, with a performance that's both strong and deeply human. The ending is a striking contrast to the opening, and it puts the film's message into sharp perspective: far too many perpetrators of sexual assault are never held accountable. It's a message that deserves to be spread far and wide until real change happens. It does come with a trigger warning, but if it's something you feel open to watching, it's very much worth a trip to the cinema when it's released in the UK on 13th November.
Making Marie Antoinette
Sally’s second place
Eleanor Coppola's Making Marie Antoinette takes us behind the scenes of her daughter Sofia's 2006 film, following the production at Versailles. I've long admired Sofia's work, so the opportunity to watch her creative process was always going to appeal to me. What I hadn't expected was how moved I'd be by Eleanor's reflections on finding space for her own creativity while documenting her daughter's. That relationship gives the film a depth that goes well beyond a conventional making-of documentary. I also attended Sofia's Screen Talk, and hearing her reflect on her career and approach to filmmaking made it a particular highlight for me. The documentary offers a more intimate perspective on that same creative process, and I'd really recommend it to anyone interested in the people and relationships behind a production.
The Debut
Madi’s second place
Jesse Eisenberg's The Debut closed the festival, and what a way to end it! Julianne Moore plays Mona, a New Jersey mum in her 50s whose kids have flown the nest. She's probably going through the menopause, and she's looking for a little something to shake things up, so she auditions for a community theatre musical. Most of us have a mum who'll reach this stage at some point, so I instantly felt fond of her. And Mona is HILARIOUS. She has real gumption, but she puts herself out there in such an awkward, shy and quirky way, and I loved her for it. Seeing her dedication throughout her journey, you root for her more and more. It's borderline unhinged, but it's mesmerising to watch her throw herself into it, and the anticipation builds towards a final performance that comes full circle in a way you won't expect.
Eisenberg wrote and directed the film and stars in it too. I'll admit I'm usually a little nervous when a director also acts, as I worry they'll pull focus from the cast. But he pulls it off brilliantly. He's genuinely funny on screen, and he's created such a warm, lovely community of characters around Mona. It's clever, so well written and really funny, and I'd happily watch it again!
Eisenberg wrote and directed the film and stars in it too. I'll admit I'm usually a little nervous when a director also acts, as I worry they'll pull focus from the cast. But he pulls it off brilliantly. He's genuinely funny on screen, and he's created such a warm, lovely community of characters around Mona. It's clever, so well written and really funny, and I'd happily watch it again!
Club Kid
Sally AND Madi’s tie for first place!
Club Kid was one of the last films I saw of the festival but the one that made the biggest impact. It follows New York club promoter Peter, whose party lifestyle is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Arlo, the son he never knew existed. Jordan Firstman both stars and makes his feature directorial debut, which makes the confidence of the filmmaking all the more impressive. I loved how boldly it moved between humour and deeply emotional moments, without ever losing its sense of identity. It took me through just about every emotion, and I'm already looking forward to watching it again.
- Sally
I have to agree with Sally, Club Kid was my favourite of the festival too! It had me laughing out loud one minute and crying the next. I loved the contrast between Arlo's innocence and the messy adult world Peter is living in, and the actors create such a beautiful, heartwarming relationship between them. At times Peter feels like the child of the two, and it's really sweet watching them raise each other. He's open, vulnerable and accepting, almost parenting Arlo the way he wishes he'd been parented: it's okay not to be okay, and to start again. The soundtrack is amazing too. I can't believe this is Jordan Firstman's first feature. If there's one film I'd encourage you to see in the cinema, it's this one. It deserves all its flowers!
- Madi
That's a wrap on LFF 2026! A huge thank you to the BFI London Film Festival for another brilliant year, and congratulations to every cast, crew and post-production team behind this year's films. Keep an eye out for these titles as they land in cinemas and awards season gets going. Did you catch anything at the festival? We'd love to hear your top picks, so come and tell us on LinkedIn or Instagram!
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