World premiere of Joy announced as Cunard Gala at 68th BFI London Film Festival

The 68th BFI London Film Festival (9 to 20 October) in partnership with American Express is delighted to announce that this year’s Cunard Gala will be the world premiere of Joy on 15 October at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall with director Ben Taylor and cast members Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy among those confirmed to attend.  

Joy tells the remarkable true story behind the ground-breaking birth of Louise Joy Brown in 1978, the world’s first ‘test-tube baby’, and the tireless 10-year journey to make it possible. Told through the perspective of Jean Purdy (Thomasin McKenzie), a young nurse and embryologist, who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards (James Norton) and surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy) to unlock the puzzle of infertility by pioneering in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The beautifully crafted period drama celebrates the power of perseverance and the wonders of science as it follows this maverick trio of visionaries who overcame tremendous odds and opposition to realise their dream, and in doing so allowed millions of people to dream with them.  

“I am truly honoured that my debut film, Joy, will receive its world premiere at this year’s BFI London Film Festival,” says Taylor. “This is a far too little-known story of British scientific achievement and it feels perfect to celebrate these three maverick pioneers – and their world changing innovation of IVF – here at home. Joy is a very personal story for me, as I am sure it will be for many of our audience. But beyond the personal, I hope this film will have all the more resonance today when infertility and issues of choice are so much in the spotlight.” 

“We’re honoured to present the world premiere of Joy,” said Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival Director. “It’s a beautifully made film with terrific performances throughout and we’ve no doubt that audiences will be as moved as we were by this inspiring true story and the lasting impact it’s had on so many.”    

Joy will have its world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival on Tuesday 15 October at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, with the festival’s 9 UK-wide partner venues screening the film simultaneously.   

Joy will be released in select cinemas across the UK and Ireland from 15 November before launching on Netflix globally on 22 November 2024.  

Credits:  

Directed by: Ben Taylor 
Screenplay by: Jack Thorne  
Story by: Rachel Mason & Jack Thorne 
Produced by: Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey 
Executive Producer: Cameron McCracken  
Cast: Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy 

The 68th 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 the gala venue  
• BFI Southbank is the home of the competition programme, 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 for a second year at Bargehouse and additional venues across London 
• 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    

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 68th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express takes place from Wednesday 9 October to Sunday 20 October, 2024. The full festival programme will be revealed on Wednesday 4 September 2024, with tickets on sale from Tuesday 17 September (BFI Members book early and American Express® Cardmembers).