Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget to receive world premiere at 67th BFI London Film Festival

The 67th BFI London Film Festival (4 to 15 October) in partnership with American Express is delighted to announce that the world premiere of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget has been added to this year’s programme. From the multi-Academy and BAFTA award-winning Aardman (Creature Comforts, Wallace & Gromit, and Shaun the Sheep), and Academy Award and BAFTA-nominated director Sam Fell (ParaNorman and Flushed Away, respectively), the film is the eagerly anticipated sequel to the beloved and highest-grossing stop-motion animated film of all time, Chicken Run. 

Starring Thandiwe Newton (Ginger), Zachary Levi (Rocky), Bella Ramsey (Molly), Imelda Staunton (Bunty), Lynn Ferguson (Mac), David Bradley (Fowler), Jane Horrocks (Babs), Romesh Ranganathan (Nick), Daniel Mays (Fetcher), Josie Sedgwick-Davies (Frizzle) and Nick Mohammed (Dr Fry), Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will receive its world premiere on Saturday 14 October at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall; the gala screening is supported by the Mayor of London and Film London. There will also be simultaneous preview screenings of the film taking place at multiple cinemas across the UK. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget debuts globally on Netflix on 15 December 2023.

Having pulled off a death-defying escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has finally found her dream – a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock, far from the dangers of the human world. When she and Rocky hatch a little girl called Molly, Ginger’s happy ending seems complete. But back on the mainland the whole of chicken-kind faces a new and terrible threat. For Ginger and her team, even if it means putting their own hard-won freedom at risk – this time, they’re breaking in!

Sam Fell, the director of Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, said: “What an honour to world premiere our film on home turf at the London Film Festival this year. Dawn of the Nugget showcases the amazing talent and ingenuity of the crew at Aardman backed by the enduring passion of the team at Netflix. We’ve poured everything we’ve got into making this a treat for both die-hard fans and the new generation of families discovering Chicken Run for the first time.”

Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival director, said: “We are so excited to be sharing the magic and artistry of the Aardman studio and their favourite feathered friends with audiences this October with a film that’s brimming with fun and has such enormous heart.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “I am delighted that Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget will receive its world premiere at the gala screening at this year’s BFI London Film Festival. This highly anticipated sequel to the hugely successful Chicken Run features an all-star cast and shows off Aardman’s award-winning creativity in a family film that is packed with fun and laughter. London’s annual film festival shows why our capital is a global hub for film and television, and, after a hugely successful summer for our big screens, I’m determined to continue doing all I can to support the growth of the industry as we build a better London for everyone.” 

The 67th edition of the BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express will take place in the following venues: 

• The Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall returns as gala venue 
• BFI Southbank is the home of the competition programme, series, Screen Talks and LFF for Free events 
• The UK’s biggest screen BFI IMAX will once again host LFF screenings 
• LFF Expanded exhibition of immersive storytelling finds a new home in Bargehouse at Oxo Tower Wharf, and you can also catch selected works at Outernet 

• Five partner cinemas in London’s West End include Curzon Mayfair, Curzon Soho, Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), Prince Charles Cinema and Vue West End  
• Festival venues across the UK include Broadway Cinema in Nottingham, Chapter in Cardiff, Glasgow Film Theatre, HOME in Manchester, MAC in Birmingham, Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast, Showroom Cinema in Sheffield, Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle and Watershed in Bristol 
• Press and industry screenings take place at Picturehouse Central and ODEON Luxe Leicester Square

In addition to UK-wide screenings at the festival venues, audiences will also be able to explore LFF programmes past and present with a special collection of films on BFI Player. 

The 67th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 4 October to Sunday 15 October 2023. The BFI LFF press launch will take place on Thursday 31 August 2023.