London Film Festival (LFF) organisers said on Saturday they had scrapped a screening of a documentary about far-right activities and funding in Britain and beyond over "safety and well-being risks".

The documentary -- Undercover: Exposing The Far Right&nbsp;-- probes far-right figures across the UK and Europe as well as funding from the United States, using an undercover reporter and hidden cameras.

It had been due to screen at the festival in the British capital over the weekend, ahead of airing on UK television on Monday night.

Its release comes just months after parts of Britain saw a week of anti-immigration riots that officials have blamed far-right agitators for instigating and fuelling.

"After exploring all the viable options to screen this film at a public film festival we took the heartbreaking decision to not present 'UNDERCOVER: Exposing the Far Right' at the LFF," festival director Kristy Matheson said.

She called the film "exceptional and easily one of the best documentaries I have seen this year" as well as "incredibly important".

"However, festival workers have the right to feel safe and that their mental health and well being is respected in their workplace.&nbsp;

"I took on board the expert opinion of colleagues around the safety and well-being risks that the screening could have created for audiences and the team and that informed our decision, which we did not take lightly."&nbsp;

The documentary follows campaigners from the counter-extremism charity Hope not Hate as they investigate the far-right in Britain and the money behind how "prejudice" is disseminated online.

Its director Havana Marking expressed her disappointment at the LFF decision.

"I understand the fear that people have, but am very disappointed that no alternative method of screening at LFF could be found," she added.

"It is getting harder and harder to make these films and to lose this audience was upsetting."

London Film Festival (LFF) organisers said on Saturday they had scrapped a screening of a documentary about far-right activities and funding in Britain and beyond over "safety and well-being risks".

London Film Festival (LFF) organisers said on Saturday they had scrapped a screening of a documentary about far-right activities and funding in Britain and beyond over "safety and well-being risks". The documentary -- Undercover: Exposing The Far Right -- probes far-right figures across the UK and Europe as well as funding from the United States, using an undercover reporter and hidden cameras. It had been due to screen at the festival in the British capital over the weekend, ahead of airing on UK television on Monday night. Its release comes just months after parts of Britain saw a week of anti-immigration riots that officials have blamed far-right agitators for instigating and fuelling. "After exploring all the viable options to screen this film at a public film festival we took the heartbreaking decision to not present 'UNDERCOVER: Exposing the Far Right' at the LFF," festival director Kristy Matheson said. She called the film "exceptional and easily one of the best documentaries I have seen this year" as well as "incredibly important". "However, festival workers have the right to feel safe and that their mental health and well being is respected in their workplace. "I took on board the expert opinion of colleagues around the safety and well-being risks that the screening could have created for audiences and the team and that informed our decision, which we did not take lightly." The documentary follows campaigners from the counter-extremism charity Hope not Hate as they investigate the far-right in Britain and the money behind how "prejudice" is disseminated online. Its director Havana Marking expressed her disappointment at the LFF decision. "I understand the fear that people have, but am very disappointed that no alternative method of screening at LFF could be found," she added. "It is getting harder and harder to make these films and to lose this audience was upsetting."

London Film Festival axes Undercover: Exposing The Far Right doc screening over safety fears

Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s female-centric thriller Santosh&nbsp;is in the running for the First Film Competition Sutherland Award at this year’s BFI London Film Festival , which includes several new Indian entries as well as Shyam Benegal’s classic Manthan.

The Sutherland Award recognises the “most original and imaginative” directorial debut and Santosh, starring Shahana Goswami, will be competing alongside other international features at LFF, which runs from October 9-20.

“Sandhya Suri’s deft thriller is a complex character study of a female cop whose moral conflict lays bare the oppression perpetuated in the name of caste,” reads the LFF programme.

In July, Santosh&nbsp;won Suri the best first feature film award at the Jerusalem Film Festival 2024.

Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix winner All We Imagine as Light&nbsp;and Reema Kagti’s Superboys of Malegoan&nbsp;are among the other Indian entries at the annual film festival, showcasing over 250 features, shorts, series, and immersive works from 79 countries.

“The real joy of LFF for me is seeing the hard work of so many talented filmmakers come to life and given the prominence and noise that they deserve,” said Ben Roberts, chief executive of the British Film Institute .

While in Superboys of Malegaon,&nbsp;which had its world premiere on Saturday at the Toronto International Film Festival, Kagti chronicles the "heart-warming" true story of Nasir Shaikh as he crowdsources a wave of ingenious spoof films that become a national phenomenon, All We Imagine as Light&nbsp;depicts a "profound and deeply humanist meditation" on urban migration and dislocation.

Sister Midnight, a genre-bending comedy by Indian director Karan Kandhari, and Indian American true to life tale A Nice Indian Boy&nbsp;by filmmaker Roshan Sethi make up the other Indian themes for the 2024 line-up across different film festival strands.

“Cinematic ideas materialise in many forms, and this year artists have taken us to some giddy highs and poked at our tender underbellies. Troubled histories linger close to the surface alongside optimistic futures, all explored in unique and creative ways,” said Kristy Matheson, director of BFI London Film Festival.

Restored by the Film Heritage Foundation, Manthan&nbsp;revisits the Shyam Benegal directed 1976 film famously funded by 500,000 farmers in rural Gujarat.

“Based on the true story of the world’s biggest dairy development programme, this is an extraordinary portrait of social change and the power of cinema itself,” reads the LFF programme about the film, whose 4K restored version was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Now in its 68th year, the BFI London Film Festival will open with the premiere of British filmmaker Steve McQueen’s Second World War epic Blitz&nbsp;on October 9 and close with American filmmaker Morgan Neville’s Lego animation Piece by Piece&nbsp;on October 20.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s female-centric thriller Santosh is in the running for the First Film Competition Sutherland Award at this year’s BFI London Film Festival , which includes several new Indian entries as well as Shyam Benegal’s classic Manthan.

Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s female-centric thriller Santosh is in the running for the First Film Competition Sutherland Award at this year’s BFI London Film Festival , which includes several new Indian entries as well as Shyam Benegal’s classic Manthan. The Sutherland Award recognises the “most original and imaginative” directorial debut and Santosh, starring Shahana Goswami, will be competing alongside other international features at LFF, which runs from October 9-20. “Sandhya Suri’s deft thriller is a complex character study of a female cop whose moral conflict lays bare the oppression perpetuated in the name of caste,” reads the LFF programme. In July, Santosh won Suri the best first feature film award at the Jerusalem Film Festival 2024. Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix winner All We Imagine as Light and Reema Kagti’s Superboys of Malegoan are among the other Indian entries at the annual film festival, showcasing over 250 features, shorts, series, and immersive works from 79 countries. “The real joy of LFF for me is seeing the hard work of so many talented filmmakers come to life and given the prominence and noise that they deserve,” said Ben Roberts, chief executive of the British Film Institute . While in Superboys of Malegaon, which had its world premiere on Saturday at the Toronto International Film Festival, Kagti chronicles the "heart-warming" true story of Nasir Shaikh as he crowdsources a wave of ingenious spoof films that become a national phenomenon, All We Imagine as Light depicts a "profound and deeply humanist meditation" on urban migration and dislocation. Sister Midnight, a genre-bending comedy by Indian director Karan Kandhari, and Indian American true to life tale A Nice Indian Boy by filmmaker Roshan Sethi make up the other Indian themes for the 2024 line-up across different film festival strands. “Cinematic ideas materialise in many forms, and this year artists have taken us to some giddy highs and poked at our tender underbellies. Troubled histories linger close to the surface alongside optimistic futures, all explored in unique and creative ways,” said Kristy Matheson, director of BFI London Film Festival. Restored by the Film Heritage Foundation, Manthan revisits the Shyam Benegal directed 1976 film famously funded by 500,000 farmers in rural Gujarat. “Based on the true story of the world’s biggest dairy development programme, this is an extraordinary portrait of social change and the power of cinema itself,” reads the LFF programme about the film, whose 4K restored version was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Now in its 68th year, the BFI London Film Festival will open with the premiere of British filmmaker Steve McQueen’s Second World War epic Blitz on October 9 and close with American filmmaker Morgan Neville’s Lego animation Piece by Piece on October 20. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sandhya Suri’s Santosh in London Film Festival’s competition strand

Ektaa R Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap’s highly anticipated new-age thriller 'Dobaaraa' is set to release on 19th August 2022 in India but first, the Tapsee Pannu starrer will premiere at London Film Festival.&nbsp; 
 
The director-actor duo will present the film at the opening night Gala of #LIFF2022 on 23rd June, 6 PM. &nbsp; 
 
Starring award-winning actress Taapsee Pannu, the film is directed by the acclaimed director Anurag Kashyap and produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor along with Sunir Kheterpal &amp; Gaurav Bose.&nbsp;

'Dobaaraa' is a new-age thriller that reunites Tapsee and Anurag for the third time. With 'Dobaaraa', the hit jodi of Taapsee and Pavail Gulati will be seen again after the stupendous success of 'Thappad'.

'Dobaaraa' is the first film under Balaji Motion Pictures' new wing, Cult Movies, which tells compelling, edgy and genre-bending stories.&nbsp;'Dobaaraa' will release in India on 19th August, 2022.

Ektaa R Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap’s highly anticipated new-age thriller 'Dobaaraa' is set to release on 19th August 2022 in India but first, the Tapsee Pannu starrer will premiere at London Film Festival.

Ektaa R Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap’s highly anticipated new-age thriller 'Dobaaraa' is set to release on 19th August 2022 in India but first, the Tapsee Pannu starrer will premiere at London Film Festival. The director-actor duo will present the film at the opening night Gala of #LIFF2022 on 23rd June, 6 PM. Starring award-winning actress Taapsee Pannu, the film is directed by the acclaimed director Anurag Kashyap and produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R Kapoor along with Sunir Kheterpal & Gaurav Bose. 'Dobaaraa' is a new-age thriller that reunites Tapsee and Anurag for the third time. With 'Dobaaraa', the hit jodi of Taapsee and Pavail Gulati will be seen again after the stupendous success of 'Thappad'. 'Dobaaraa' is the first film under Balaji Motion Pictures' new wing, Cult Movies, which tells compelling, edgy and genre-bending stories. 'Dobaaraa' will release in India on 19th August, 2022.

Anurag Kashyap’s 'Dobaaraa' featuring Tapsee Pannu to premiere at 2022 London Film Festival

Iranian film ‘Hit The Road’ about a family’s road trip through the twisting desert highways and valleys of Iran has won the top award at London Film festival.&nbsp;

Panah Panahi’s film centers on a family of four making a run for the border as the father struggles with a broken leg, the youngest kid explores car karaoke and older remains sullen during the trip. There is no mention of where they are headed.&nbsp;

“The best film award recognises inspiring and distinctive film-making that captures the essence of cinema. The essence of life,” said Małgorzata Szumowska, the competition president, whose own film screened at last year’s festival. “At all times in cinema history, but perhaps during a pandemic especially, we are looking for ways to connect to life. Our choice is for a film that made us laugh and cry and feel alive.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/netflix-estimates-squid-game-will-be-worth-almost-900-million-421647" hreflang="en">Netflix estimates 'Squid Game' will be worth almost $900 million</a>

The Sutherland award for first feature film went to Belgian director Laura Wandel’s Playground, the story of seven-year-old Nora’s (Maya Vanderbeque) efforts to help her big brother Abel (Günter Duret) overcome his bullying. Their school, with its own customs, is presented as a microcosm of the wider world’s injustices.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-selena-gomez-doesnt-follow-pop-culture-trends-and-thats-saved-her-life-421556" hreflang="en">Selena Gomez doesn't follow pop culture trends and that's 'saved' her life</a>

The 2021 BFI London Film Festival included a programme of 159 feature films – including 21 premieres – from around the world. They included Jeymes Samuel’s ‘The Harder They Fall’, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, ‘The Lost Daughter’, and Jane Campion’s ‘The Power of the Dog’.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-wonder-woman-3-in-works-patty-jenkins-confirms-third-gal-gadot-led-film-421526" hreflang="en">Wonder Woman 3 in works! Patty Jenkins confirms third Gal Gadot-led film</a>

This year the festival also partnered with the Royal Festival Hall, which became a cultural hub for screenings and talks, and celebrated the addition of TV to its programme, which culminated in the Succession premiere on Friday night.

Iranian film ‘Hit The Road’ about a family’s road trip through the twisting desert highways and valleys of Iran has won the top award at London Film festival. Panah Panahi’s film centers on a family of four making a run for the border as the father struggles with a broken leg, the youngest kid explores car karaoke and older remains sullen during the trip.

Iranian film ‘Hit The Road’ about a family’s road trip through the twisting desert highways and valleys of Iran has won the top award at London Film festival. Panah Panahi’s film centers on a family of four making a run for the border as the father struggles with a broken leg, the youngest kid explores car karaoke and older remains sullen during the trip. There is no mention of where they are headed. “The best film award recognises inspiring and distinctive film-making that captures the essence of cinema. The essence of life,” said Małgorzata Szumowska, the competition president, whose own film screened at last year’s festival. “At all times in cinema history, but perhaps during a pandemic especially, we are looking for ways to connect to life. Our choice is for a film that made us laugh and cry and feel alive.” Netflix estimates 'Squid Game' will be worth almost $900 million The Sutherland award for first feature film went to Belgian director Laura Wandel’s Playground, the story of seven-year-old Nora’s (Maya Vanderbeque) efforts to help her big brother Abel (Günter Duret) overcome his bullying. Their school, with its own customs, is presented as a microcosm of the wider world’s injustices.Selena Gomez doesn't follow pop culture trends and that's 'saved' her life The 2021 BFI London Film Festival included a programme of 159 feature films – including 21 premieres – from around the world. They included Jeymes Samuel’s ‘The Harder They Fall’, Maggie Gyllenhaal’s directorial debut, ‘The Lost Daughter’, and Jane Campion’s ‘The Power of the Dog’. Wonder Woman 3 in works! Patty Jenkins confirms third Gal Gadot-led film This year the festival also partnered with the Royal Festival Hall, which became a cultural hub for screenings and talks, and celebrated the addition of TV to its programme, which culminated in the Succession premiere on Friday night.

Iranian family film 'Hit The Road' wins top prize at London Film Festival

With Idris Elba leading an impressive all-black cast and Jay-Z among the producers, the premiere of Netflix's reimagined western "The Harder They Fall" opened the London Film Festival with a bang on Wednesday.

The movie, a directorial debut for Londoner Jeymes Samuel, showcases an array of black talent portraying real-life historical characters from the Old West in a fictional plot, set to a reggae and beats-laden soundtrack.

Samuel, who co-produced and co-wrote the original screenplay, left longtime friend Elba with little choice but to play Rufus Buck, a violent and feared outlaw of the era. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"(It was) 'you're doing it'... we grew up together... and here we are making a Western," Elba joked, as the pair discussed the film at a news conference with other cast and crew ahead of the premiere.

Samuel, also a singer-songwriter and music producer who worked with Jay-Z on tracks for "The Great Gatsby" in 2013, said collaborating again reaffirmed the rap star's talents go well beyond music.

"The interesting thing is he's super cine-literate," the 42-year-old film-maker said.

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"People think (of) the name Jay-Z and they automatically assume... music," he added, noting he was vastly knowledgeable about both Westerns and "film in general".&nbsp;

- 'Alluring' genre -

Samuel said he landed a "dream cast" for "The Harder They Fall" which also includes actor-director Regina King as Buck's sidekick "Treacherous" Trudy Smith, and Jonathan Majors as his rival outlaw Nat Love.

LaKeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz and Edi Gathegi also star in a story of revenge on the plains of Texas scored with pulsing music that features Nigerian icon Fela Kuti, among others.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/subtitles-of-squid-game-change-the-meaning-of-the-show-fans-are-divided-on-this-418717" hreflang="en">Subtitles of 'Squid Game' change the meaning of the show? Fans are divided on this</a></h2>

The novice director, who grew up watching Westerns on British television, explained "the genre of the Old West was always alluring" but that he wanted to "do more with it".

"The scope that they showed those stories through was very narrow... women of all colours were always subservient. If you were a person of colour, you were less than human," Samuel said.&nbsp;

Apart from three screenings at the London Film Festival and some showings in select US theatres, "The Harder They Fall" will get its global release on Netflix on November 3.

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The streaming platform is "the right place" for the highly cinematic film, according to co-producer James Lassiter, who persuaded Samuel of its virtues.

"The goal if we're going to tell a story like this, with this cast, is to have as many people around the world (with) access to it," Lassiter said.

"Sometimes when you do a theatrical release, there's these built-in biases, like no one wants to see an all-black cast," he added, noting "in certain territories they will tell the studios 'this movie's not for us'."

- 'Life-changing' -

Meanwhile for Elba, who contracted Covid-19 last year, the global health crisis had a profound impact on him and his mindset during filming.&nbsp;

"The pandemic has shown that we're all human and the race thing is pretty stupid," he said.

"Obviously, there's systematic racism that sits in our system which is going to take time to get out, but in terms of story-telling, it's a great day for us.&nbsp;

"It's a great day for everyone."

The 49-year-old actor noted his own personal battle with the virus helped him harness "compassion" in his portrayal of the dislikeable and brutal Buck.

"It really gave me a life-changing perspective. So I think I ended up injecting some of that maturity... into that character," Elba said.

"We encouraged each other to get deeper, under the skin with these characters."

Before hitting the small screen, "The Harder They Fall" got its cinematic unveiling at London's Southbank Centre on Wednesday evening, with Jay-Z making an appearance on the red carpet to kickstart the 12-day film festival.&nbsp;

Now in its 65th year, it will close with "The Tragedy Of Macbeth", starring the Oscar-winning Frances McDormand, whose husband Joel Coen directs, and fellow Academy Award winner Denzel Washington.

With Idris Elba leading an impressive all-black cast and Jay-Z among the producers, the premiere of Netflix's reimagined western "The Harder They Fall" opened the London Film Festival with a bang on Wednesday.

With Idris Elba leading an impressive all-black cast and Jay-Z among the producers, the premiere of Netflix's reimagined western "The Harder They Fall" opened the London Film Festival with a bang on Wednesday. The movie, a directorial debut for Londoner Jeymes Samuel, showcases an array of black talent portraying real-life historical characters from the Old West in a fictional plot, set to a reggae and beats-laden soundtrack. Samuel, who co-produced and co-wrote the original screenplay, left longtime friend Elba with little choice but to play Rufus Buck, a violent and feared outlaw of the era. "(It was) 'you're doing it'... we grew up together... and here we are making a Western," Elba joked, as the pair discussed the film at a news conference with other cast and crew ahead of the premiere. Samuel, also a singer-songwriter and music producer who worked with Jay-Z on tracks for "The Great Gatsby" in 2013, said collaborating again reaffirmed the rap star's talents go well beyond music. "The interesting thing is he's super cine-literate," the 42-year-old film-maker said. Selena Gomez teases her new collaboration with Coldplay "People think (of) the name Jay-Z and they automatically assume... music," he added, noting he was vastly knowledgeable about both Westerns and "film in general". - 'Alluring' genre - Samuel said he landed a "dream cast" for "The Harder They Fall" which also includes actor-director Regina King as Buck's sidekick "Treacherous" Trudy Smith, and Jonathan Majors as his rival outlaw Nat Love. LaKeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz and Edi Gathegi also star in a story of revenge on the plains of Texas scored with pulsing music that features Nigerian icon Fela Kuti, among others. Subtitles of 'Squid Game' change the meaning of the show? Fans are divided on this The novice director, who grew up watching Westerns on British television, explained "the genre of the Old West was always alluring" but that he wanted to "do more with it". "The scope that they showed those stories through was very narrow... women of all colours were always subservient. If you were a person of colour, you were less than human," Samuel said. Apart from three screenings at the London Film Festival and some showings in select US theatres, "The Harder They Fall" will get its global release on Netflix on November 3. Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney reveals he’s growing hemp on his farm The streaming platform is "the right place" for the highly cinematic film, according to co-producer James Lassiter, who persuaded Samuel of its virtues. "The goal if we're going to tell a story like this, with this cast, is to have as many people around the world (with) access to it," Lassiter said. "Sometimes when you do a theatrical release, there's these built-in biases, like no one wants to see an all-black cast," he added, noting "in certain territories they will tell the studios 'this movie's not for us'." - 'Life-changing' - Meanwhile for Elba, who contracted Covid-19 last year, the global health crisis had a profound impact on him and his mindset during filming. "The pandemic has shown that we're all human and the race thing is pretty stupid," he said. "Obviously, there's systematic racism that sits in our system which is going to take time to get out, but in terms of story-telling, it's a great day for us. "It's a great day for everyone." The 49-year-old actor noted his own personal battle with the virus helped him harness "compassion" in his portrayal of the dislikeable and brutal Buck. "It really gave me a life-changing perspective. So I think I ended up injecting some of that maturity... into that character," Elba said. "We encouraged each other to get deeper, under the skin with these characters." Before hitting the small screen, "The Harder They Fall" got its cinematic unveiling at London's Southbank Centre on Wednesday evening, with Jay-Z making an appearance on the red carpet to kickstart the 12-day film festival. Now in its 65th year, it will close with "The Tragedy Of Macbeth", starring the Oscar-winning Frances McDormand, whose husband Joel Coen directs, and fellow Academy Award winner Denzel Washington.

Jay-Z western 'The Harder They Fall' fires up London Film Festival

Movies from 77 countries will screen at the 2021 London Film Festival, as Britain's leading cinema showcase welcomes mass audiences back to movie theaters after a pandemic-disrupted year. 
 
The festival program, announced Tuesday, includes 158 features, down from 225 during its last pre-pandemic edition in 2019. The 2020 festival was a curtailed collection of 58 films, most screened online. 
 
This year, mask-wearing, full-capacity audiences will be able to attend gala screenings at London's riverside Southbank Centre, with many of the premieres screened simultaneously at movie theaters across the UK. 
 
About 37% of the features are directed by women "not yet parity, but up from a quarter four years ago and heading in the right direction,"&nbsp;festival director Tricia Tuttle said. 
 
The festival opens October&nbsp;6 with the world premiere of 'The Harder They Fall'&nbsp;'a Western from British director Jeymes Samuel with a Black-led cast' and closes October&nbsp;17 with the European premiere of Joel Coen's 'The Tragedy of Macbeth,' starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as Shakespeare's murderous Scottish royals. 
 
The lineup includes 21 world premieres alongside prize-winners and headline-grabbers from the Cannes and Venice film festivals, including Jane Campion's Montana-set Western 'Power of the Dog'&nbsp;and Edgar Wright's swinging-60s horror romp 'Last Night in Soho,'&nbsp;both of which premiered in Venice this month. 
 
Also on the schedule are French director Julia Ducournau's techno-sexual thriller 'Titane'&nbsp;winner of Cannes' top prize, the Palme d'Or Paul Verhoeven's lesbian nun drama 'Benedetta'&nbsp;and Wes Anderson's whimsical 'The French Dispatch,'&nbsp;both of which also premiered at the French Riviera festival. 
 
The London festival will also feature Maggie Gyllenhaal's Elena Ferrante adaptation 'The Lost Daughter'; Reinaldo Marcus Green's 'King Richard,'&nbsp;which stars Will Smith as the father of Venus and Serena Williams; Kenneth Branagh's homage to his home town, 'Belfast'; Jacques Audiard's 'Paris, 13th District'&nbsp;and Todd Haynes' music documentary 'The Velvet Underground'&nbsp;

Another highlight is Chilean director Pablo Larrain's 'Spencer'&nbsp;a film whose first publicity shot of Kristin Stewart as Princess Diana was enough to set off a frenzy of anticipation. 
 
?I don't think there's a film fan alive who doesn't want to see this film after that still was released,? Tuttle said. 
Embracing television as well as cinema, the festival is also screening the first two episodes of the third series of media-dynasty drama 'Succession'. 
 
Festival organizers are still unsure how the coronavirus pandemic will affect plans for red-carpet premieres and parties. Four-fifths of British adults are fully vaccinated, and there are few restrictions on social life. But infections remain high, and are expected to climb further now that children are back at school. 
 
Tuttle says a few films in the lineup deal explicitly with the pandemic, including Matthew Heineman's documentary 'The First Wave'&nbsp;and '7 Days,'&nbsp;a coronavirus romcom about a couple locked down together after a disastrous first date. 
 
"We were wary of going too heavily into the pandemic,"&nbsp;Tuttle said. "We've just chosen films that charmed us or felt too urgent not to include in the program." 
&nbsp;

Movies from 77 countries will screen at the 2021 London Film Festival, as Britain's leading cinema showcase welcomes mass audiences back to movie theaters after a pandemic-disrupted year.

Movies from 77 countries will screen at the 2021 London Film Festival, as Britain's leading cinema showcase welcomes mass audiences back to movie theaters after a pandemic-disrupted year. The festival program, announced Tuesday, includes 158 features, down from 225 during its last pre-pandemic edition in 2019. The 2020 festival was a curtailed collection of 58 films, most screened online. This year, mask-wearing, full-capacity audiences will be able to attend gala screenings at London's riverside Southbank Centre, with many of the premieres screened simultaneously at movie theaters across the UK. About 37% of the features are directed by women "not yet parity, but up from a quarter four years ago and heading in the right direction," festival director Tricia Tuttle said. The festival opens October 6 with the world premiere of 'The Harder They Fall' 'a Western from British director Jeymes Samuel with a Black-led cast' and closes October 17 with the European premiere of Joel Coen's 'The Tragedy of Macbeth,' starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as Shakespeare's murderous Scottish royals. The lineup includes 21 world premieres alongside prize-winners and headline-grabbers from the Cannes and Venice film festivals, including Jane Campion's Montana-set Western 'Power of the Dog' and Edgar Wright's swinging-60s horror romp 'Last Night in Soho,' both of which premiered in Venice this month. Also on the schedule are French director Julia Ducournau's techno-sexual thriller 'Titane' winner of Cannes' top prize, the Palme d'Or Paul Verhoeven's lesbian nun drama 'Benedetta' and Wes Anderson's whimsical 'The French Dispatch,' both of which also premiered at the French Riviera festival. The London festival will also feature Maggie Gyllenhaal's Elena Ferrante adaptation 'The Lost Daughter'; Reinaldo Marcus Green's 'King Richard,' which stars Will Smith as the father of Venus and Serena Williams; Kenneth Branagh's homage to his home town, 'Belfast'; Jacques Audiard's 'Paris, 13th District' and Todd Haynes' music documentary 'The Velvet Underground' Another highlight is Chilean director Pablo Larrain's 'Spencer' a film whose first publicity shot of Kristin Stewart as Princess Diana was enough to set off a frenzy of anticipation. ?I don't think there's a film fan alive who doesn't want to see this film after that still was released,? Tuttle said. Embracing television as well as cinema, the festival is also screening the first two episodes of the third series of media-dynasty drama 'Succession'. Festival organizers are still unsure how the coronavirus pandemic will affect plans for red-carpet premieres and parties. Four-fifths of British adults are fully vaccinated, and there are few restrictions on social life. But infections remain high, and are expected to climb further now that children are back at school. Tuttle says a few films in the lineup deal explicitly with the pandemic, including Matthew Heineman's documentary 'The First Wave' and '7 Days,' a coronavirus romcom about a couple locked down together after a disastrous first date. "We were wary of going too heavily into the pandemic," Tuttle said. "We've just chosen films that charmed us or felt too urgent not to include in the program."

London Film Festival welcomes audiences back to the movies

The pizzazz of the red carpet will be lacking and fewer films will be on offer at this year’s London Film Festival, but fans can still enjoy a broad programme, either on the big screen while socially distanced or streamed into their own homes.

Festival director Tricia Tuttle said the hybrid model meant she could deliver a vibrant event to audiences, in cinemas in London and beyond as well as online, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This year there really is no physical locus of the festival,” Tuttle said in an interview on Thursday.

Social distancing, which reduces the capacity of cinemas to about 30% of normal levels, has triggered an expansion of the festival beyond its home at the British Film Institute (BFI) on London’s South Bank and other independent cinemas in the capital to cities such as Manchester, Bristol and Sheffield.

“Even if you don’t live in a city that has a great independent cinema, you can still watch almost all of the festival on the BFI Player, which is our digital cinema,” Tuttle said.

This year the festival will showcase 60 feature films from Britain and around the world, down from the usual 220 or so, but variety will not be sacrificed.

“What we’re trying to achieve is different voices, different perspectives,” Tuttle said. “There are over 40 countries represented in the programme, so its still an international programme but it’s also a celebration of cinema.”

“UK cinema is also really, really important to us. It’s very vibrant.”

“MOMENT OF RESISTANCE”

The festival opened on Wednesday with British filmmaker Steve McQueen’s “Mangrove”, which tells the story of a group of Black activists in London 50 years ago.

It closes on Oct. 18 with “Ammonite”, a romantic drama written and directed by Francis Lee, starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan.

Worldwide, however, cinema is struggling commercially to survive after COVID-19 caused theatres to shut or cut capacity, and major studios to postpone the blockbusters that rake in the cash.

Later on Thursday Cineworld will temporarily shutter its 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse cinemas in Britain and 536 Regal theatres in the United States, blaming the reluctance of Hollywood studies to release films such as the new James Bond.

Oliver Meek, executive director of the independent Rio cinema in east London, said Hollywood’s response to the pandemic was a huge blow.

“We build our programme as much as possible around the big hits,” he said.

“Whilst we have quite a diverse programme here and play a lot of independent films, we are reliant on three or four films a year to really hit big box office.”

If the studios wait until life gets back to normal, he said, “there’s very sadly a strong chance that lots and lots of cinemas won’t be here to show those films”.

Tuttle said she hoped the industry would pull together to face the challenge.

“We’re working collaboratively with cinemas around the country,” she said. “It’s a moment of resistance, of defiance.”

The pizzazz of the red carpet will be lacking and fewer films will be on offer at this year’s London Film Festival, but fans can still enjoy a broad programme, either on the big screen while socially distanced or streamed into their own homes.

The pizzazz of the red carpet will be lacking and fewer films will be on offer at this year’s London Film Festival, but fans can still enjoy a broad programme, either on the big screen while socially distanced or streamed into their own homes. Festival director Tricia Tuttle said the hybrid model meant she could deliver a vibrant event to audiences, in cinemas in London and beyond as well as online, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “This year there really is no physical locus of the festival,” Tuttle said in an interview on Thursday. Social distancing, which reduces the capacity of cinemas to about 30% of normal levels, has triggered an expansion of the festival beyond its home at the British Film Institute (BFI) on London’s South Bank and other independent cinemas in the capital to cities such as Manchester, Bristol and Sheffield. “Even if you don’t live in a city that has a great independent cinema, you can still watch almost all of the festival on the BFI Player, which is our digital cinema,” Tuttle said. This year the festival will showcase 60 feature films from Britain and around the world, down from the usual 220 or so, but variety will not be sacrificed. “What we’re trying to achieve is different voices, different perspectives,” Tuttle said. “There are over 40 countries represented in the programme, so its still an international programme but it’s also a celebration of cinema.” “UK cinema is also really, really important to us. It’s very vibrant.” “MOMENT OF RESISTANCE” The festival opened on Wednesday with British filmmaker Steve McQueen’s “Mangrove”, which tells the story of a group of Black activists in London 50 years ago. It closes on Oct. 18 with “Ammonite”, a romantic drama written and directed by Francis Lee, starring Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan. Worldwide, however, cinema is struggling commercially to survive after COVID-19 caused theatres to shut or cut capacity, and major studios to postpone the blockbusters that rake in the cash. Later on Thursday Cineworld will temporarily shutter its 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse cinemas in Britain and 536 Regal theatres in the United States, blaming the reluctance of Hollywood studies to release films such as the new James Bond. Oliver Meek, executive director of the independent Rio cinema in east London, said Hollywood’s response to the pandemic was a huge blow. “We build our programme as much as possible around the big hits,” he said. “Whilst we have quite a diverse programme here and play a lot of independent films, we are reliant on three or four films a year to really hit big box office.” If the studios wait until life gets back to normal, he said, “there’s very sadly a strong chance that lots and lots of cinemas won’t be here to show those films”. Tuttle said she hoped the industry would pull together to face the challenge. “We’re working collaboratively with cinemas around the country,” she said. “It’s a moment of resistance, of defiance.”

London Film Festival offers beacon of hope to COVID-hit industry

The BFI London Film Festival has decided to go online for its 2020 edition of the festival in the light of the novel coronavirus crisis. 
 
According to the news agency, the festival was scheduled to take place from October 7 to October 18 by when the coronavirus restrictions are expected to be eased down but the event will still be following a path of taken by other film festivals due to the spread of COVID-19.

Also read: '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/not-true-says-jada-pinkett-to-august-alsinas-claims-of-his-relationship-with-will-smiths-wife-310131" hreflang="en">Not true' says Jada Pinkett to August Alsina's claims of his relationship with Will Smith's wife</a> 
 
The 2020 edition of the festival will see over 50 films getting virtual premieres, with every film having a particular time of screening and additional elements like question and answer rounds etc. 
 
The virtual version of the show will also bring a wide range of free-to-access digital talks and conversations. "Like many other live events around the world, we have had to make changes to our plans in response to a global pandemic, factoring in safety concerns and restrictions - some known, some still unclear," the news agency quoted the festival director Tricia Tuttle.

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"But as we have undergone this planning we have also witnessed historical international protests, an urgent reminder of just how much we need to do to combat racism and inequality," added Tuttle.

The BFI London Film Festival has decided to go online for its 2020 edition of the festival in the light of the novel coronavirus crisis. According to the news agency, the festival was scheduled to take place from October 7 to October 18 by when the coronavirus restrictions are expected to be eased down but the event will still be following a path of taken by other film festivals due to the spread of COVID-19.

The BFI London Film Festival has decided to go online for its 2020 edition of the festival in the light of the novel coronavirus crisis. According to the news agency, the festival was scheduled to take place from October 7 to October 18 by when the coronavirus restrictions are expected to be eased down but the event will still be following a path of taken by other film festivals due to the spread of COVID-19. Also read: 'Not true' says Jada Pinkett to August Alsina's claims of his relationship with Will Smith's wife The 2020 edition of the festival will see over 50 films getting virtual premieres, with every film having a particular time of screening and additional elements like question and answer rounds etc. The virtual version of the show will also bring a wide range of free-to-access digital talks and conversations. "Like many other live events around the world, we have had to make changes to our plans in response to a global pandemic, factoring in safety concerns and restrictions - some known, some still unclear," the news agency quoted the festival director Tricia Tuttle. Also read: Sia is now a grandmother of two, reveals they call her 'Nana' "But as we have undergone this planning we have also witnessed historical international protests, an urgent reminder of just how much we need to do to combat racism and inequality," added Tuttle.

London Film Festival to go virtual for 2020 edition

The London Film Festival got its one of its starriest red carpets on Thursday when actresses Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman premiered 'The Favourite,' a costume piece with a difference being billed as an Oscar contender. 
 
With plenty of laugh&nbsp;out loud moments, the movie sees Colman portray Britain`s 18th-century Queen Anne as an insecure, frail, tempestuous, childish royal who is easily influenced by her friend and confidante Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. 
 
However Sarah, played by Weisz, soon finds herself vying for the queen`s attention as well as affection when maid Abigail, portrayed by Stone, arrives. 
 
"All three of us ... play parts that were filthy and sexy and emotional and sad ... which is normal, not just an attempt to be gorgeous all the time and a little bit sort of prettily flawed," Colman said at the BFI London Film Festival.&nbsp; 
 
The actresses, who have &nbsp;been praised by critics, share the spotlight as three central characters, which Weisz described as "very textured and layered and complicated." 
"I suppose I find it sad that we have to bring that up but I suppose we do, it`s still a little bit unusual although I don`t think it was ... back in the Hollywood golden era," she said. 
 
"There was Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck - the list goes on ... they were women that took the leading roles." 
 
While set in the 18th century, the film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, known for 'The Lobster' and 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer', has contemporary touches such as in the language used. 
 
''This was such a specific type of period story," Stone said when asked whether she would do more costume pieces. 
 
"It was kind of filthy and funny and ridiculous and all of it. So (if) there are more like this than then sure, of course," Stone added. 
 
'The Favourite' first premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize, and Colman - soon to be seen portraying Britain`s Queen Elizabeth in Netflix series "The Crown" - was named Best Actress, garnering Oscar buzz.

 
Asked about the Oscar speculation, Lanthimos said: "It matters if you get it."

 
"But I think it`s best to not think about it too much and do the work, do the best that you can and then if people appreciate the film that`s great," he added. 
&nbsp;

The London Film Festival got its one of its starriest red carpets on Thursday when actresses Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman premiered 'The Favourite,' a costume piece with a difference being billed as an Oscar contender.

The London Film Festival got its one of its starriest red carpets on Thursday when actresses Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman premiered 'The Favourite,' a costume piece with a difference being billed as an Oscar contender. With plenty of laugh out loud moments, the movie sees Colman portray Britain`s 18th-century Queen Anne as an insecure, frail, tempestuous, childish royal who is easily influenced by her friend and confidante Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough. However Sarah, played by Weisz, soon finds herself vying for the queen`s attention as well as affection when maid Abigail, portrayed by Stone, arrives. "All three of us ... play parts that were filthy and sexy and emotional and sad ... which is normal, not just an attempt to be gorgeous all the time and a little bit sort of prettily flawed," Colman said at the BFI London Film Festival. The actresses, who have been praised by critics, share the spotlight as three central characters, which Weisz described as "very textured and layered and complicated." "I suppose I find it sad that we have to bring that up but I suppose we do, it`s still a little bit unusual although I don`t think it was ... back in the Hollywood golden era," she said. "There was Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck - the list goes on ... they were women that took the leading roles." While set in the 18th century, the film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, known for 'The Lobster' and 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer', has contemporary touches such as in the language used. ''This was such a specific type of period story," Stone said when asked whether she would do more costume pieces. "It was kind of filthy and funny and ridiculous and all of it. So (if) there are more like this than then sure, of course," Stone added. 'The Favourite' first premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize, and Colman - soon to be seen portraying Britain`s Queen Elizabeth in Netflix series "The Crown" - was named Best Actress, garnering Oscar buzz. Asked about the Oscar speculation, Lanthimos said: "It matters if you get it." "But I think it`s best to not think about it too much and do the work, do the best that you can and then if people appreciate the film that`s great," he added.

'The Favourite'  a costume piece gets a royal touch at London Film Festival

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