Cannes has the glamour and Sundance has the independent edge, but if you don’t work in the industry - if you’re just a film fan eager to indulge your passion – then the London Film Festival is the one to beat. Held each autumn by the British Film Institute, the festival showcases the best in international cinema. Screenings are held in the world-famous National Film Theatre on the South Bank and at various venues in London’s West End.
Every year there are a number of gala screenings, usually focusing on big-name releases, but for cinephiles the real pleasure comes in the chance to see neglected classics and the pick of recent world cinema on the big screen. Many screenings also benefit from Q&A sessions with the filmmakers or the cast, making for an even more rewarding experience. The programme is always rich and varied; your biggest problem will be making time to see everything you want to, in this celebration of cinema in all its forms.