BFI London Film Festival Tickets: September 17
General ticket sales for the 70th BFI London Film Festival begin at 10:00 a.m. on September 17, 2026 (6:00 p.m. on September 17 in South Korea). Find details on general screenings starting at £10, £6 tickets for ages 16–25, and online, phone, and in-person booking procedures.
- Choose a film, screening time, and venue from the official BFI program.
- Check your membership eligibility or 25 & Under registration status for ages 16–25.
- Access the official booking page at 10:00 a.m. on September 17, 2026 (United Kingdom).
- Select your seats and ticket type, then complete payment.
- If sold out, check for additional tickets released on October 1 in the UK and for official resale availability.
General ticket sales for the 70th BFI London Film Festival begin at 10:00 a.m. on September 17, 2026, through BFI’s official ticketing channels. The festival takes place from October 7–18 in the UK. Choose your films and venues, prepare your payment method, and book online, by phone, or at the BFI Southbank box office.
The dates and prices in this article are based on information announced by BFI as of September 7, 2026.
Key Information for the 2026 BFI London Film Festival
The 70th festival features 251 films from 88 countries. The full program was announced on September 2, 2026. Additional films were revealed on September 7.
| Item | Official 2026 Information |
|---|---|
| Festival dates | October 7–18, 2026 |
| General ticket sales begin | 10:00 a.m. on September 17, 2026 |
| Additional tickets released | October 1, 2026 |
| Program size | 251 films from 88 countries |
| Opening film | Elsinore |
| Closing film | The Debut |
| Main locations | Venues in London and across the UK |
| In-person booking | BFI Southbank box office |
The 10:00 a.m. time is based on the London schedule provided by BFI. If you are booking from overseas, check the time difference in your location. The venue for each film is available on its details page.
Booking Schedule
General audiences should be ready for sales on September 17. BFI members receive priority access before general sales. The exact time for each membership tier should be confirmed on the official ticketing page. (Confirmed 2026 priority booking times: BFI Patrons at 10:00 a.m. on September 9 (United Kingdom) and BFI Members at 10:00 a.m. on September 10. · Source: whatson.bfi.org.uk · Checked 2026-09-14)
| Sale Type | Schedule | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Member priority booking | Before general sales | Confirm the start time for your membership tier |
| General ticket sales | 10:00 a.m. on September 17, 2026 | Select films and screenings in advance |
| Additional tickets | October 1, 2026 | Reconfirm the release time on the official website |
| Same-day tickets during the festival | October 7–18, 2026 | Check remaining seats and eligible screenings |
Additional tickets are not guaranteed for every screening. Search again on October 1 (United Kingdom) for sold-out films. Check BFI channels before using unofficial resale outlets.
Online Booking Process
Online booking makes it easy to compare films and seats directly. Before accessing the website, choose two or three potential screenings. Also prepare a payment method.
- Open the official BFI London Film Festival website.
- Find the film you want through the film and event search.
- Check the date, screening time, and venue.
- Confirm your membership or 25 & Under eligibility.
- Select an available seat and ticket type.
- Complete payment and keep your booking confirmation.
Your preferred seats may become unavailable shortly after sales begin. Recheck the film title and venue before paying. Even the same film may be shown at different venues depending on the screening.
Comparing Online, Phone, and In-Person Booking
All three methods should use official sales channels. Online booking is convenient if you want to compare seats directly. Phone or box-office booking may be useful if you need accessibility assistance.
| Method | Best For | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Online | Comparing films and seats directly | Use each film’s booking page on the official website |
| Phone | Asking about accessible seating or companion tickets | Check the latest number and operating hours on the ticketing page |
| In person at BFI Southbank | Getting assistance at the box office in London | Check sales hours and remaining seats before visiting |
Do not copy an outdated phone number from search results. Check the BFI ticketing page for current contact details. (Confirmed 2026 phone booking number: 020 7928 3232. Operating hours are 10:00–20:30 from September 9 to October 6 and 10:00–21:30 during the festival. Dedicated accessibility phone number: 020 7960 2102. · Source: whatson.bfi.org.uk · Checked 2026-09-14) Visiting in person also does not guarantee a seat.
Ticket Prices and Options by Eligibility
Standard screening tickets start at £10 in 2026. Tickets for ages 16–25 are £6 when eligibility requirements are met. Prices for Galas and Screen Talks must be checked for each event. (Confirmed 2026 prices: Gala premieres £21–£30, opening and closing Gala premieres £40, weekday repeat screening matinees £16, weekend repeat screening matinees £18; Screen Talks £21. · Source: whatson.bfi.org.uk · Checked 2026-09-14)
| Ticket Type | 2026 Price | Conditions or Details to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Standard screening | From £10 | Check each film, as prices vary by screening and seat |
| 25 & Under | £6 | Available to ages 16–25; check registration requirements |
| Gala | Price shown for each film | Check the detailed booking page |
| Screen Talk | Price shown for each event | Check the event details page |
Check the 25 & Under information before using the £6 ticket option. Do not assume the discount is automatically applied based on age alone. Check your registration or eligibility status before booking.
Official prices and sales policies are published on BFI’s ‘Tickets and booking’ page. Check the relevant event page for Gala and Screen Talk prices. Compare the displayed price with your selected ticket type before paying.
Festival Overview and How to Find Films
The 2026 program includes feature films, short films, competition entries, and events. Ten films have been selected for the Official Competition. You can choose films by theme without checking plot endings.
- Select a date on the full film and event search page.
- Choose a theme such as Love, Debate, Laugh, Thrill, or Cult.
- Check the synopsis and running time on the film details page.
- Check the venue and accessibility information together.
- Compare films added later with the September 7 announcement and the latest search results.
The complete lineup is also available in the digital program book. An accessible text PDF is available on the official brochure page. The latest film page determines current ticket availability.
Highlights to Watch
The opening film Elsinore and closing film The Debut bookend the festival. The ten films in the Official Competition provide a central selection to follow alongside the award results. Additional films were scheduled after the initial program announcement.
- Screening dates and venues for the opening and closing films
- Screening schedules for the ten films in the Official Competition
- Screen Talks featuring directors and actors
- Differences in prices and seating between Galas and standard screenings
- Film selections across Love, Debate, Laugh, Thrill, and Cult
- Latest screening times for films added on September 7
Booking based on the title alone may cause you to miss the event format. A film screening and a Screen Talk may be separate events. Distinguish the type and time on the details page.
Venues and How to Use Accessibility Tickets
Screenings take place in London and various locations across the UK. The exact venue appears on each film’s details page. Account for travel time when selecting consecutive screenings.
- Check the venue on the film page.
- Check the accessibility labels and supported screening formats.
- Select the required seat type on the booking page.
- Confirm companion-ticket eligibility with BFI.
- If online booking is difficult, inquire by phone or at the box office.
Conditions may apply to accessible seating and companion tickets. Do not assume seats will be assigned automatically. It is safer to confirm any required assistance before paying.
What to Prepare When Booking from Overseas
Overseas customers should first convert the sales time from London time. Relying only on the time displayed on your device may cause you to miss the start of sales. Note in your calendar that the time is based on local London time.
- Confirm that your card supports international online payments
- Check your card issuer’s exchange rate and international transaction fees
- Record the film title and UK local screening date
- Review whether you have enough time to reach the venue
- Keep the booking confirmation email and order information
International call charges may apply to phone bookings. If an online payment fails, check your card issuer’s restrictions. The booking page is the authoritative source for payment methods supported by BFI.
Refunds and Official Resale
Read the refund and resale conditions before paying. A change of mind is not always grounds for a refund. Any event-specific exceptions are also subject to the official policy.
- Check the refund policy before paying.
- Check your BFI account and notifications for schedule changes.
- If you cannot attend, look for an official resale option.
- Do not share your booking information with unofficial sellers.
The full official policy must be checked on the ‘Tickets and booking’ page. Do not estimate cancellation periods or fees. Read the wording that applies directly to the screening you purchased.
FAQ
When does general booking for the 2026 BFI London Film Festival begin?
General booking begins at 10:00 a.m. on September 17, 2026. You can select films and screenings on the official BFI London Film Festival booking page.
When does the festival take place?
The 70th BFI London Film Festival takes place from October 7 to 18, 2026. Check each film’s details page for its date and venue.
How much are tickets for regular screenings?
Tickets for regular screenings in 2026 start at £10. For Galas and Screen Talks, check the price shown on the booking page for each event.
Who is eligible for the £6 tickets for those aged 25 and under?
Those aged 16–25 can purchase 25 & Under £6 tickets if they meet the eligibility requirements. See the official 25 & Under information for details on registration and eligibility verification.
When does priority booking for members begin?
Priority booking for members takes place before general sales. Check the BFI ticket page and your account for the exact start time for each membership tier.
What should I do if my preferred screening is sold out?
Check the screening again when additional tickets are released on October 1, 2026. During the festival, you can also check whether official same-day tickets or resale tickets are available.
How do I book accessible seating and companion tickets?
First, check the accessibility information on the film’s details page. If selecting seats online is difficult or you need to confirm companion eligibility requirements, you can book through the official telephone booking service or at the BFI Southbank box office.
Where can I view the full program?
You can view it through the film and event search on the official BFI London Film Festival homepage. You can also use the digital program guide and accessible text PDF to explore the films.
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