With the BFI London Film Festival set to kick off from the 7th of October, more films are still being added to the exciting lineup of the new virtual approach to the UK’s biggest film festival. This film festival will be the first ever edition to be widely accessible wherever you are in the UK, with over 50 virtual premieres, free online events and cinema screenings across the country.

The latest addition to the catalogue comes from BFI Fellow Steve McQueen, who looks set to dominate the festival with two films showing from his new incoming anthology series, Small Axe.

The film is Lovers Rock , and is billed as a romantic ode to the reggae genre. Taking place at a house party in the 1980’s, this is a film about young love and music, and has already received an incredible reception from critics of the New York Film festival. The film will screen on Sunday 18 October across 2 screenings at BFI Southbank as part of the LFF’s Love strand supported by Porsche, who are joining the LFF as new sponsors this year. 

Along with McQueen’s Mangrove, two of the five films of McQueen’s anthology series Small Axe are set to be shown before debuting on the BBC later in the year. Set from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s, the films each tell a different story involving London’s West Indian community, whose lives have been shaped by their own force of will, despite rampant racism and discrimination. Mangrove will open the film festival on Wednesday 7 October and will play for free to audiences at BFI Southbank and in selected cinemas across the UK.

McQueen had this to say about Lovers Rock being added to the LFF line-up: “I’m so happy to be screening Lovers Rock at the London Film Festival. To show it here where it belongs is a privilege. I hope this film will bring back memories of parties past and look to the future of parties to come.”

Head to the BFI website to book your tickets for Lovers Rock and other films that are playing as part of the London Film Festival. You can also check out the trailer for the Small Axe anthology below.

Tate Britain

Tate Britain contains a collection of art from 1500 to modern-day in rooms organised chronologically by historical period, allowing you to quite literally stroll through a timeline of British art. There’s work to appeal to everyone’s tastes – there’s Millais’s painting of drowned Ophelia to contrast Francis Bacon’s Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion. Special exhibitions aren’t free, but there’s many that are worth paying for nevertheless. At the moment, the gallery is hosting the largest collection of Aubrey Beardsley’s works in fifty years, luckily an exhibition that has been extended because of lockdown closures.

Tate Modern

If your aesthetic interests lie more in the direction of the brutal and abstract than in the impressionist, Tate Modern is a great alternative to the Tate Britain. Based in the old Bankside Power Station in Southwark, it’s one of the largest contemporary art museums in the world. The collection is very international, some notable artists featured here include the Japanese artist Masami Teraoka and American pop-art and photography by Andy Warhol. With a new exhibition of Warhol’s works extended until November, there’s no better time to book a timeslot and visit this searingly modern space.

The National Gallery

Located in Trafalgar Square and therefore central to most of London’s main tourist attractions, this gallery is one of the most convenient to drop into casually, whilst also being worthy of a specific excursion. The National Gallery’s collection is vast (containing over 2,300 works) and a consequence of this is that essentially every major art movement finds representation in its rooms. Household names of the art world like Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Da Vinci all have work exhibited here, so if you’re still undecided about the nature of your art preferences, then this is a good place to examine many different styles in one place.

Victoria and Albert Museum

Although containing its own impressive collection of paintings, the V&A Museum is predominantly known for its collection of applied arts and design. At the moment, a display on the concealed history of Nazi Looting is available to view for free, as well as all its permanent collection. This is a gallery with a strong history dating back to 1851 when Queen Victoria herself contributed to the original collection. Even stopping for coffee here is an engagement with history – it’s café is actually the first museum café in the world!

Hayward Gallery

Perhaps the least famous on this list, Hayward Gallery is still absolutely worth visiting. It’s part of the Southbank Centre (which also hosts live events and workshops) and is unique for its outside gallery space. After lockdown, Hayward Gallery opened with a topical and relevant photography exhibition entitled ‘Everyday Heroes’, which celebrates the key workers throughout the pandemic. Another current exhibition ‘Among the Trees’ explores the human relationship to the natural world, and looking around it is a fantastic way to mentally escape the confines of the city.

Everybody loves going to the movies. With the current pandemic making many people reassess their viewing habits, it may be time for Londoners to think outside of the box of big chain cinemas, and focus their attention on the independent cinemas that the city has to offer. With most back in operation, they need support more than ever, so allow us to show you five of the very best indie cinemas that are ready to transport you and offer a unique viewing experience along the way. 

1. The Prince Charles Cinema

Holding the honour of being the last independent cinema running in the West End, The Prince Charles Cinema has been entertaining movie goers since the 1960’s, and remains a firm favourite amongst the city’s film fans. It is not hard to see why. With a program that features new releases, cult classics, movies from across the globe, as well as many themed movie nights and marathons, the PCC is the place to indulge in your favourite movie niches. The amount of films on offer is simply staggering, with many seasons on the go, from James Bond to Studio Ghibli, to the movies of David Lynch and so much more. It is also famous for being the go-to place in the UK to experience Tommy Wiseau’s infamous ‘worst movie of all time’ The Room. A crown jewel of London’s indie cinema scene.  

Location: 7 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BY
Prices: £4.50 – £16 (Membership available from £10)
Contact: +44 207 494 3654 / Website>

2. Genesis Cinema 

Right in the heart of Whitechapel, the venue for the Genesis Cinema has been keeping East-Londoners entertained for over a hundred years, before becoming a cinema in 1999. It keeps the spirit of good times and entertainment alive with its luxurious viewing options. You can experience a movie in its large main screen, or you can go for something a little more personal with their Studio Screening rooms, offering you a comforting armchair and footrest, so you can kick back and enjoy the movie in style. You can even enjoy a cocktail or two, along with some delicious food from the on-site kitchen. The Genesis Cinema offers a program of both recent and classic movies, but has also been known to host poetry nights and exclusive events, keeping the party spirit of this beloved East End location more than alive. 

Location: 93-95 Mile End Road, E1 4UJ
Prices: £4.50 – £14 (Membership available from £20)
Contact: +44 207 780 2000 / Website>

3. Peckhamplex 

Just look at that ticket price! All tickets at the Peckhamplex cost just £4.99 for any film at any time, any day of the week. It is an affordable means of seeing the latest blockbusters on screen, and its joyful appreciation of the movie-going experience is infectious. It is the definition of cheap and cheerful when it comes to indie cinemas in London. It may not be the swankiest, but that doesn’t matter. It is a cinema that loves bringing people together to enjoy the experience of the movies. A location that many of those in the local area hold very dear to their hearts. Don’t just take our word for it, the location has won a Time Out Love London award three times, thanks to their combination of offering big screen entertainment along with community focused events.

Location: 95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST 
Prices: £4.99 for any film at anytime seven days a week 
Contact: 0844 567 2742 / Website>

4. Electric Cinema  

The Electric Cinema is the cinema for those looking for an extra indulgent experience. We’re not joking, there’s even a choice to book a double bed as your seat for your chosen movie (which is handy if you don’t like the film, you can just have a little snooze instead!). The Portobello location also just so happens to be one of the oldest running cinemas in the country, so not only can you put your feet up and enjoy your favourite glass of wine with a movie, you will also be sitting in a place rich with cinematic history. A plush and gorgeous experience that treats film fans like Hollywood celebs. 

Location: 191 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London W11 2ED
Prices: £13.50 – £22.50
Contact: +44 20 7908 9696 / Website>

5. Rio Cinema 

The Rio Cinema is a non-profit cinema located in the heart of Dalston, and is another London venue with a very rich history that dates back over 100 years. With gorgeous art deco stylings, the Rio offers cinemagoers a unique venue to take in blockbusters, arthouse flicks and classic titles. While there may only be two screens, the Rio creates a sense of community through a well selected program, as well as offers for film fans of all ages. It is a venue that celebrates its history, and the legacy that it has had as a long-standing piece of the community.  

Location: 107 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB 
Prices: £7 – £12.50 (Memberships from £30)
Contact: +44 20 7241 9410 / Website>

Film Festivals are just one of many events across the globe that has been affected by the global pandemic. As a result of these unprecedented times, the format for most festivals is changing this year, and the BFI’s London Film Festival is no exception. With a mixture of select physical cinema screenings and virtual premieres online, this year’s LFF looks set to be the most interactive and accessible lineup yet.

The full program of films selected for this year’s festival have been unveiled, and it offers film fans across the country an eclectic mix of 58 films. These are films from all over the world, with films coming for over 40 countries, with new offerings from directors such as Steve McQueen (whose film will open the festival), Spike Lee, Miranda July, Hirokazu Kore-eda, and Francis Lee (whose film, Ammonite, will close the fest).

It will be a new challenge for the dedicated LFF team this year, but one that the BFI Chief Executive Ben Roberts is excited about, as he told The Guardian: ““Although it’s been born out of crisis, this year’s edition of the LFF will be our most accessible yet.”

The festival, which will run from October 7-18, will offer a new hybrid way of participating with the festival. Around 50 films from the program will have virtual premieres, available only to UK audiences. Some of these films will be screened live, with some being made available for 72 hours, although participants will only be able to watch the film once. There will be a small selection available at cinemas that follow social distancing guidelines, but for the most part this year’s LFF is set to be quite different, and it will undoubtedly be intriguing to see how it all plays out.

You can check out the full list of announced films below, as well as the trailer for the festival to whet your appetite. Make sure to head over to the LFF website for more details.

Full list:

180° RULE | Farnoosh Samadi | Iran

200 METERS | Ameen Nayfeh | Palestine

A COMMON CRIME | Francisco Márquez | Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland

A DAY-OFF OF KASUMI ARIMURA | d. Hirokazu Kore-eda | w. Sakura Higa | Japan

AFRICAN APOCALYPSE | Rob Lemkin | UK

AFTER LOVE | Aleem Khan | UK

AMMONITE | Francis Lee | UK

ANOTHER ROUND | Thomas Vinterberg | Denmark

BAD TALES | Fabio D’Innocenzo, Damiano D’Innocenzo | Italy

BLOODY NOSE, EMPTY POCKET | Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross | USA

THE CHEATERS | Paulette McDonagh | Australia

THE CHESS GAME OF THE WIND | Mohammad Reza Aslani | Iran

CICADA | Matt Fifer and Kieran Mulcare | USA

DAYS | Tsai Ming-Liang | Taiwan

DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA | Spike Lee | USA

DELIA DERBYSHIRE: THE MYTHS AND LEGENDARY TAPES | Caroline Catz | UK

THE DISCIPLE | Chaitanya Tamhane | India

FAREWELL AMOR | Ekwa Msangi | USA

FRIENDSHIP’S DEATH | Peter Wollen | UK

GENUS PAN | Lav Diaz | Philippines

GOLD FOR DOGS | Anna Cazenave Cambet | France

HERSELF | Phyllida Lloyd | UK

HONEYMOOD | Talya Lavie | Israel

I AM SAMUEL | Pete Murimi | Kenya

IDENTIFYING FEATURES | Fernanda Valadez | Mexico-Spain

IF IT WERE LOVE | Patric Chiha | France

INDUSTRY | d. Lena Dunham, Tinge Krishnan, Ed Lilly | w. Mickey Down, Konrad Kay | UK

THE INTRUDER | Natalia Meta | Argentina-Mexico

KAJILLIONAIRE | Miranda July | USA

LIMBO | Ben Sharrock | UK

MANGROVE | Steve McQueen | UK

MOGUL MOWGLI | Bassam Tariq | UK

NEVER GONNA SNOW AGAIN | Małgorzata Szumowska, Michał Englert | Poland-Germany

NEW ORDER | Michel Franco | Mexico

NOMADLAND | Chloé Zhao | USA

NOTTURNO | Gianfranco Rosi | Italy-Germany-France

ONE MAN AND HIS SHOES | Yemi Bamiro | UK

THE PAINTER AND THE THIEF | Benjamin Ree | Norway

POSSESSOR | Brandon Cronenberg | Canada-UK

THE REASON I JUMP | Jerry Rothwell | UK

RELIC | Natalie Erika James | Australia-USA

ROSE | Jennifer Sheridan | UK

THE SALT IN OUR WATERS | Rezwan Shahriar Sumit | Bangladesh-France

SHADOW COUNTRY | Bohdan Sláma | Czech Republic

SHIRLEY | Josephine Decker | USA

SIBERIA | Abel Ferrara | Italy-Germany-Mexico

SOUL | Pete Docter, Kemp Powers | USA

SOUND FOR THE FUTURE | Matt Hulse | UK-China

STRAY | Elizabeth Lo | USA

STRIDING INTO THE WIND | Wei Shujun | China

SUPERNOVA | Harry Macqueen | UK

THIS IS MY DESIRE (EYIMOFE) | Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri | Nigeria

TIME | Garrett Bradley | USA

ULTRAVIOLENCE | Ken Fero | UK

UNDINE | Christian Petzold | Germany

WILDFIRE | Cathy Brady | UK-Ireland

WOLFWALKERS | Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart | Ireland-Luxembourg-France

ZANKA CONTACT | Ismaël El Iraki | France-Morocco-Belgium

Whether you are looking to expand your portfolio, experiment, or get more creative with your Instagram feed, here are five locations in London that will change the game.

1. St Paul’s Cathedral

St Paul’s Cathedral has been here for over 1,400 years. It has been built and rebuilt five times, and always its main purpose has been as a place of worship and prayer. Besides being free, another great part about this location is that you can take the elevator and take some great high view photos.

2. Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market is a covered market in London located on Gracechurch Street. It is one of the oldest markets in London, dating from the 14th century, and is located in the historic centre of the City of London financial district. It offers a sophisticated and posh look, free to access, and very easy to get creative and impress your friends.

3. Light Tunnel – Kings Cross

Connecting the transport hubs of Kings Cross to its bars, restaurants and public spaces Take the light tunnel to King’s Cross This subway tunnel with a difference will take you from St Pancras International and King’s Cross stations towards Granary Square, Coal Drops Yard and the shops and restaurants around the canal. The multicoloured tunnel is great for Instagram, but you can take some great shots for your portfolio as well. You will find it on the underground walkway that connects St. Pancras to Kings Cross Station.

4. The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum in London is a natural history museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history.It is one of three major museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, the others being the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Great architecture, especially in the main hall, preferably use a wide-angle lens to capture it properly. Very popular among fashion photographers.

5. Notting Hill & Portobello Road

Portobello Road boasts the world’s largest antiques market with over 1,000 dealers selling every kind of antique and collectable. Visitors flock from all over the world to discover one of London’s best loved landmarks. It is extremely popular but it was impossible not to include it. You see it very often on Instagram and Pinterest, everyone loves the scenery and how vibrant it is. Perfect for your feed or some cool street photography shots.