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, 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.

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)

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.

1. Open the official BFI London Film Festival website.
2. Find the film you want through the film and event search.
3. Check the date, screening time, and venue.
4. Confirm your membership or 25 & Under eligibility.
5. Select an available seat and ticket type.
6. 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.

Do not copy an outdated phone number from search results.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)

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.

1. Select a date on the full film and event search page.
2. Choose a theme such as Love, Debate, Laugh, Thrill, or Cult.
3. Check the synopsis and running time on the film details page.
4. Check the venue and accessibility information together.
5. 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.

1. Check the venue on the film page.
2. Check the accessibility labels and supported screening formats.
3. Select the required seat type on the booking page.
4. Confirm companion-ticket eligibility with BFI.
5. 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.

1. Check the refund policy before paying.
2. Check your BFI account and notifications for schedule changes.
3. If you cannot attend, look for an official resale option.
4. 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.