BFI London Film Festival Announces Comprehensive Industry Forum Program

The British Film Institute has released the full program for its London Film Festival's Industry Forum, introducing new speakers and events. Among the notable additions are acclaimed director Danny Boyle and celebrated costume designer PC Williams. A special session will also highlight successful international co-productions like 'Fjord' and 'Paper Tiger', created in collaboration with The Hollywood Reporter.

The forum's schedule includes a significant interview with Danny Boyle by Matt Belloni for The Town podcast on October 9th. Their conversation will delve into the current landscape of the British film sector and Boyle's latest work, the Murdoch-focused drama 'Ink'. Additionally, a panel on October 12th will feature producers from Ireland, Spain, Norway, and Brazil, including Alan Maher, Adrià Monés, Dyveke Bjørkly Graver, and Rodrigo Teixeira. This discussion, also associated with The Hollywood Reporter, will cover the business, funding, and creative challenges inherent in cross-border film collaborations. On October 10th, PC Williams will engage in a dialogue with British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., exploring the intricacies of costume design across different genres, emphasizing innovation, and fostering new talent.

Commencing on October 8th, the Industry Forum will begin with a panel of cinema programmers discussing the health of the U.K.'s cinema exhibition industry, particularly after a successful spring-summer 2026 season driven by hits like 'Obsession', 'The Odyssey', and 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day'. Experts such as Ben Lyndon from Curzon, Carol McKay from Picturehouse, and Madeleine Mullett from BFI IMAX will share insights into audience behavior and programming strategies for both mainstream and independent films. Another session on October 13th, in partnership with Sheffield DocFest, will feature directors Theo Rollason, Nanette Burstein, and Rafael Guendelman, alongside Simon McCallum from the BFI National Archive, exploring archival material in storytelling. The fourth edition of 'Fade In' on October 11th will spotlight emerging screenwriters including Travis Alabanza, Gemma Bedeau, Paul Carey, Alice Clark, Alex Mathias, and Carly Mills. Previously announced Spotlight Conversations will feature Neal Street Productions co-founder Pippa Harris and independent producer James Wilson, who will discuss their careers and navigating the global film and TV market. The Industry Day runs concurrently with LFF Expanded, the festival's showcase for Immersive Art, Extended Reality, and Video Gaming, presenting nine projects at various venues including BFI IMAX and St Martin-in-the-Fields.

This year's Industry Forum brings together an exceptional array of cinematic talents and influential voices from both the UK and international spheres, whose contributions are significantly shaping the global film landscape. The event proudly highlights the diverse individuals driving today's cinema, from renowned producers and directors to skilled craftspeople, programmers, writers, and archivists. It serves as a vital platform for the broader industry to convene, exchange innovative ideas, and forge new, meaningful connections, ultimately fostering a more vibrant and interconnected film community.