BFI London Film Festival Unveils Screen Talks Programme for 70th Edition

The 70th BFI London Film Festival has announced its Screen Talks programme, bringing together some of the biggest names in film for a series of in-depth conversations about their careers, creative influences and work.

This year’s line-up includes Andrew Scott (All of Us Strangers, Ripley, Pride), Ava DuVernay (Selma, 13th, Origin), Brad Bird (The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille), Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Wicked, Widows) and James Gray (We Own the Night, Ad Astra, Armageddon Time).

Also joining the programme are Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network, When You Finish Saving the World, A Real Pain), John Malkovich (Places in the Heart, In the Line of Fire, Being John Malkovich), Mahershala Ali (Moonlight, Green Book, True Detective), Naomi Ackie (I Wanna Dance with Somebody, Blink Twice, Mickey 17), Sofia Coppola (The Virgin Suicides, Marie Antoinette, Priscilla) and Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire, 28 Days Later).

The Screen Talks offer audiences the chance to hear directly from leading actors and filmmakers as they reflect on their careers, creative processes and the films that have shaped them.

For the first time, the festival will also take a Screen Talk outside London, with Danny Boyle appearing at HOME in Manchester to discuss his wide-ranging career.

The talks will take place at BFI Southbank, with audiences also able to catch up with selected talks afterwards on BFI Player and BFI YouTube.

The 70th BFI London Film Festival takes place from Wednesday 7 October to Sunday 18 October 2026, with screenings taking place across London and at partner venues around the UK. Press and industry screenings and the LFF Industry Forum will be based at Picturehouse Central.

Tickets & Information

Tickets for the 70th BFI London Film Festival go on general sale from 17 September 2026, with BFI Members able to book earlier.

For the full Screen Talks programme, ticket information and festival updates, visit the BFI London Film Festival website.

BFI London Film Festival: https://www.bfi.org.uk/london-film-festival

Screen Talks programme: https://www.bfi.org.uk/london-film-festival/news/screen-talks-programme-70th-bfi-london-film-festival